Graduation Semester and Year

2009

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Rhonda Dobbs

Abstract

Considerable research has been conducted on the causes of punitive attitudes towards criminal offenders. This study focuses on the possible effects religion may have when influencing opinions on correctional practices. Researchers have primarily focused on Christian fundamentalists and have come to the conclusion that fundamentalist affiliations and belief in biblical literalism has been related to punitive attitudes towards criminals. Religious individuals have been found to support harsher punishments for offenders such as mandatory sentencing and capital punishment.In this study, the relationship between religion and punitive attitudes was examined. It was found that those who believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible were more punitive. Those who claimed religious affiliation were also found to be more punitive than those claiming atheism and agnosticism.

Disciplines

Criminology and Criminal Justice | Legal Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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