Applying Moral Foundations Theory to the Explanation of Capital Jurors’ Sentencing Decisions

Abstract

This study applies moral foundations theory to capital juror decision making. We hypothesized that binding moral foundations would predict death qualification and punitive sentencing decisions, whereas individualizing moral foundations would be associated with juror disqualification and a leniency effect. Additionally, we considered whether moral foundations can explain differences in death penalty application between conservatives and liberals. Respondents from two independent samples participated in a mock-juror task in which the circumstances of a hypothetical defendant’s case varied. Results revealed moral foundations were strong predictors of death qualification. The binding and individualizing foundations were related to sentencing decisions in the expected ways. Supporting our contention that moral foundations operate differently across different types of cases, heterogeneity in the effects of moral foundations was observed. Finally, we found support for the hypothesis that the relationship between sentencing decisions and conservatism would be attenuated by moral foundations.     

认罪认罚从宽制度的体系性反思与建构

虽然认罪认罚从宽制度是在我国《刑事诉讼法》中得以正式确立的,但《刑事诉讼法》中涉及此制度的具体规定又都是操作层面的。据此,认罪认罚从宽制度的合理性并不能得以阐释。而依据我国《刑法》,对认罪认罚从宽制度的合理性则可以从形式逻辑、实质逻辑以及价值理念三个维度予以充分证成。由此可知,认罪认罚从宽制度本质上系《刑法》中的一种刑罚裁量制度,认罪认罚本质上是法定的从宽量刑情节。在定罪层面,犯罪嫌疑人、被告人只需自愿承认不法事实系其所为,即构成"认罪",而无需准确评价自身行为的法律性质并准确识别具体罪名;在量刑层面,"认罚"考察的重点是犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的悔罪态度和悔罪表现。应当通过刑法立法的方式将认罪认罚从宽制度与自首制度、坦白制度部分重叠地整合在一起,以避免"概念混同""重复评价"的错误倾向。     

民事强制执行中债务人权益保障问题初探--从原则到制度的分析

强制执行是运用国家公权力来保障生效法律文书所确定的权利得以实现的过程,然而在强调债权人权益实现的同时有侵害债务人基本人权之可能.为了公平保护执行当事人的合法权益,特别是维护债务人之基本人权,民事强制执行立法必须从贯彻宪法对人权保障的高度,确立利益平衡和执行适度的原则,加强对债务人财产、住宅、人格尊严和人身自由等基本人权的保障.这既是现代民事执行文明、人道的重要体现,也是构建和谐社会的必然要求.     

中国加入WTO以后职务犯罪发展趋势及对策研究

中国加入世贸组织以后,随着经济贸易的进一步发展,一定时期内,职务犯罪将表现为更加复杂、严重和突出,而且会出现典型的多发部位。而治理和预防新形势下的职务犯罪,需要完善刑事法律规范和预防工作的相关立法,并以体制和制度保障加强惩治力度,以超前的意识作为指导思想,运用健全的权力监督制约机制和刑罚的预防功能等具有针对性的策略全面加以防范,突出社会效果。     

当代美国的死刑制度

美国最高法院在1972年曾经宣布暂停死刑执行,但是在1976年又恢复了死刑的执行,目前美国是唯一仍然保留并适用死刑的所谓西方文明国家。美国联邦系统和38个州的刑法都规定了死刑,可以适用死刑的罪行还比较多,但是罪名相对比较集中;死刑诉讼程序严格且复杂;相对于美国庞大的犯罪数字,尤其是暴力犯罪而言,其死刑判决和实际执行死刑数量仍属较低;美国死刑执行方式呈现为以注射方式为主多种执行方法并存的特点。美国死刑程序复杂但是死刑错判率仍然较高。     

论治安行政听证制度的基本原则

行政听证制度是我国立法引进的一项新制度,是行政程序法的核心内容。公安机关在进行治安行政听证工作中,应当认真借鉴国外相关的立法,健全和完善公开原则、言词原则、职能分离原则、事先告知原则、记录排他性原则。     

理性呼唤与死刑适用

思考世界死刑命运,反观我国关于死刑的司法实践和传统理念,严格死刑的适用标准成为必要。同时,展望未来,为了适应国际人权法的要求和实现我国所承担的国际义务,应当从立法上限制死刑的适用。     

中国—东盟民事司法协助制度探析

随着中国—东盟自由贸易区的建立,中国—东盟各国间互涉民事案件呈现增长趋势。现行的中国—东盟民事司法协助制度已不能完全适应现实的需要,中国—东盟民事司法协助机制亟待完善。文章对中国—东盟民事司法协助制度构建前提及协助的主要内容进行了较为深入的探析。     

民事执行的检察监督

要实现司法改革的目标,人民法院和人民检察院的司法改革应当齐头并进。目前,人民检察院的民事行政监督工作有很多困难,对民事执行工作的监督还没有开展,文章分析了其中原因,以中外检察制度的本质区别为突破口,论证了加强民事执行监督的必要性和法理依据,并对监督的范围和方式等具体问题阐明了作者的观点。     

Capital punishment, criminals and enemies

Right of life and life are different concept. The former is endowed w by state beforehand, which is proved through his behavior that he is deserved to own the right of life. The one who thoroughly offend the basic norm in the law is the enemy of our realistic world. If only the enemy still have danger to threaten the society, he should be executed to death penalty, and deprived of his life, but will not happen the problem of miscarriage of justice and inhumanity. The criminal’s behavior just only denies part of norm in the law, however, who still is mankind and should possess of mankind’s dignity, so we must abolish death penalty on them, miscarriage of justice is another reason of course. __________ Translated from Peking University Law Journal, 2005(5) (in Chinese) by Mi Zhibin