To investigate this issue, this research utilized a sample of college students divided into those who (1) oppose capital punishment, (2) support capital punishment only if it deters murder, and (3) would support it even if it did not deter murder. The results indicate that opponents have greater respect for human life, greater opposition to interpersonal violence, greater respect for the law, and more sympathy for the victims of murder than either type of supporter, and that supporters who require deterrence have greater respect for human life and opposition to interpersonal violence than do other supporters. Thus it is unlikely that capital punishment reinforces or enhances respect for life, opposition to interpersonal violence, respect for the law, or sympathy for the victims of crimes. (Publisher abstract)