Death by Design: Capital Punishment As a Social Psychological System (American Psychology-Law Society Series)

Dr. Haney (of Zimbardo prison simulation study fame) now tackles another kind of social problem--the death penalty. He provides research to show how the judicial system is biased in favor of the death penalty in several different ways. For example, when juries in the sentencing phase are told that they have a choice between life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, many of them don't really believe that parole can't be invoked. They think there may still be a way that the convicted murderer can get out of the conviction so they vote for the death penalty instead just to make sure the murderer stays in prison. The design of the process can indeed lead to the (eventual) death of the convicted. The problem is of course that there is a chance that the convicted person is innocent. The Innocence Project has shown us that very clearly. If someone is wrongly convicted, they have a chance to be absolved as long as they are still alive. This and other research Haney reports is thus invaluable for those concerned with fairness.For those concerned with fairness rather than retribution, this is an important book which suggests that the system is indeed unfair and needs changing. Since it is based on research evidence, it is not polemical in spite of the claims of the one negative reviewer who apparently didn't want to hear that the judicial system is unfair. But I've actually taught forensic psychology and have seen enough other research to recognize that yes, the justice system is unfair in many ways. This book discusses one of the areas which needs changing.

Awesome book. I bought this for a college class, but I would read it if I didn't take the class. Very easy read and informative.

I hated the book. The author is biased and shows it on every page. I don't think I'll sell it back to Amazon to save anyone else from reading this trash. If I do sell it back and you buy it... I'm sorry.

I took Craig Haney's class in college - Psychology and Law. Prof. Haney taught me something that has stuck with my since I took his course - that our legal system operates on the assumption that everyone has the same ability to make the same decision. For those who believe that we do have the same ability, you simply have not had the same experience as others and I would argue are not very culturally competent.

This bias text has no regard for any other views. It is horrible to see things so one sided and call it educational! The author is too focussed on making himself look good and misses key factors that are erroneous in his arguments.