Why the death Penalty doesn't act as a Deterrent

[Quixote1818]

Studies in psychology show if you are raised with violence your brain is wired to be almost jaded by it. Seeing death for a person raised with violence is as natural as getting a hug for someone raised in a loving family. Thats the way evolution has built us. The brain wires it's self to survive in it's environment. Thus, a person raised with violence hearing about the Death Penalty will not be fazed by the law and may only have ideas about solving problems with violence reinforced.

Of course their are always exceptions to the rule depending on other aspects of the child's natural personality and the degree of how much the violence is balanced by having at least one supportive influence growing up.

I fear broadcasting people being put to death on TV because I think it could actually make the US more violent than it already is. I have serious doubts that it would act as a deterrent.


I could not find the psychology article that I summarized above but here is a link to the states stats on the DP. :

http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/deterrence.html

If you have any links to psychology studies about the effects of violence on a developing brain. Please feel free to post them.

[Kagemusha]

1. Violence is broadcast 24/7. Just not all 'real violence'

but that's more for "moral reasons" than for the effects on brain chemistry.

[Dr.Phool]

2. My own theory is that neither death or prison is a deterent.

And I speak from experience, having known a vast assortment of criminals in my life. Most people commit a crime - any crime without thinking of the punishment, because they think they won't get caught.

Most criminals, except murderers, have no idea what the punishment is for a crime, until they're busted and talk to their lawyers.

[Quixote1818]

4. As Henry David Thoreau once wrote:

Strike The Root

There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.

[hiaasenrocks]

3. And? Neither is jail. n/t

[mmonk]

5. Well, to start, people aren't thinking they are going to be

caught while they are committing a crime.

[ET Awful]

6. If it worked as a deterrent, Texas wouldn't have close to double the

homicide rate of say Massachusetts (which has no death penalty).

[ComerPerro]

7. Devil's Advocate - Would this indicate, then, that killers can't be

reformed?

Just asking.

Does the study say that the wiring is done while the mind is developing?

And, furthermore, can a developed mind, once "wired", be re-wired.

For example, can the brain be conditioned to accept and exist in a loving environment, thus "curing" them?

Or is it set in stone once "programmed"?