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.     

Criticizing the image of the student as consumer: examining legal trends and administrative responses in the US and UK1

There is widespread concern that higher education is being compromised by being turned into a ‘commodity’ to be ‘consumed’. This article represents an initial attempt to explore the trends in both the UK and US, and considers how the law has responded to them. It argues, however, that there is an important distinction to be drawn between ‘commodification’ and ‘consumerism’. Education has always been a commodity to be bought and sold; the true danger lies in the move to a ‘rights-based’ culture where students (and politicians) see education merely as something to be ‘consumed’ rather than as an activity in which to participate. Whilst the law seems thus far to have been something of a bulwark against this movement, it remains an open question as to whether this will continue to be the case if HEIs do not themselves act more proactively in challenging this damaging view of higher education.     

自然垄断企业反垄断的法律监管

经济社会的发展推动了自然垄断合理性理论及实践的革命,传统模式下,自然垄断企业的过去与现实已不能满足我国市场经济的发展需求。文章从法律的角度思考自然垄断的相关问题,结合发达国家理论创新、产业改革的经验,并引入部分经济学概念论证自然垄断企业反垄断的法律监管问题。     

广东省群体性事件多发的态势与防范对策

广东省群体性事件的高发是广东省处于社会转型时期的必然产物。社会发展的断裂、利益表达机制的缺乏、群体利益冲突的增加是群体性事件多发的根本原因。建立健全社会保障机制、利益表达机制、社会危机应对机制、全面的社会治安防控机制是解决群体性事件的有效措施。     

论宪政意识及宪法权威的树立

制定宪法并使之成为一国法律体系的核心,是指导各国法制建设的共同理念。但有宪法并不等于有宪政。依法治国、建设法治国家必须依宪法治国,提高宪政意识和树立宪法权威。而要提高宪政意识及树立宪法权威,不能只停留在口头或书面,应当切实建立必要的相关制度。     

"三个代表"重要思想,是实现中华民族伟大复兴的行动指南

举世瞩目的党的十六大胜利闭幕了。这是一次团结的大会、胜利的大会、奋进的大会。是在我党历史上、中华民族复兴史上必将产生深远意义的一次大会。这次大会,我们党在新时期新阶段的指导思想和奋斗目标进一步确立;我们党承前启后、继往开来的新的党中央领导集体已经产生;党团结和带领全国各族人民全面建设小康社会、开创中国特色社会主义事业的历史航船已经扬帆起航。忆往昔,岁月峥嵘鼓人心;看未来,前程似锦添力量。这次大会,鼓舞人心、振奋人心、凝聚人心。江泽民同志的报告以“以高举邓小平理论伟大     

The legislative recreation of RICO: Reinforcing the ``myth' of organized crime

This paper uses historical content analysis to examine the implementation ofthe Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). It is argued thatthe historical events leading to the definition of organized crime as an alienconspiracy still affect RICO's use some 30 years after its passage. This paper applies state-centered theory to the theoretical frameworks of sociology of knowledge and innovation diffusion. This approach is used to relate the current implementation and controversy of RICO to the alien conspiracy view. Thought of in this context, legal implementation is the result of a knowledge creation and diffusion process. This paper demonstrates how one knowledge diffusionprocess (the acceptance of organized crime as a national conspiracy in 1970) leads to a new knowledge diffusion process (the use of RICO).     

INTRODUCING PERSPECTIVES IN FAMILY LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

This article provides an editorial introduction to the following three related articles on the growing use and influence of social science research in family law. It first considers why this has become problematic and identifies some common strategies used by advocates, sometimes under the guise of scholarship, to destroy the standing of research findings contrary to their ideological or political position. Then it discusses briefly the remedies proposed to mitigate these kinds of problems within the following three articles.     

上海特大城市卫星城发展研究

我国西部大开发的关键是城市化,而特大型城市正需要发展卫星城。卫星城在社会主义市场经济中是一个新生事物,所以在向发达市场经济国家借鉴的同时,需要建立与市场经济相适应的卫星城概念;充分考虑“三转”并存的现实状况;保持建设规划的连续性,防止卫星城建设半途而废;建设与国际大都市目标相适应的卫星城;打破地方分割;用优惠政策吸引居民迁入;利用级差地租;引进高等学校;发展轨道交通;加大建城力度;扩大卫星城建设资金来源;为国际大都市建设置换空间。