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SOC 120 week 6 assignment Punishment Research Paper

SOC 120 week 6 assignment Punishment Research Paper

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Punishment Research Paper 1

Running head: PUNISHMENT RESEARCH PAPER

Punishment Research Paper

Dawnette Dunkley

University of Phoenix

Sociology--120

Instructor: Loren Butler

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Punishment Research Paper 2

Punishment Research Paper

Throughout history and in every era, American society struggles to find adequate punishments

to address deviant and criminal behaviors. The reality is, punishment is an inherent part of

people’s lives; it manifests itself in the way parents reprimand children, teaching them about

responsibility, accountability, and consequences as well as in the way the judicial system

punishes offenders. Unlike Iran that amputates systematically the arm(s) of people accused of

stealing; the American justice system provides less severe ways in which to address similar

offenses. In the United States, the severity of the punishment is based usually on the degree of

the offense, which ranges between paying fines, probation, imprisonment, or execution. Yes,

America has had its share of seemingly barbaric punishments for crimes, as its last public

execution was only 73 years ago, with the public execution of Rainey-Bethea. Four different

types of justification for punishment in American society include retribution, deterrence,

rehabilitation, and societal protection. Even though each of these justifications for punishment

helps to reduce crime rates in society, each has its share of controversy, with both advantages and

drawbacks. The concept of punishment evolves overtime and garners both supporters and

detractors, as proponents and opponents argue whether punishment do more harm than good.

Assessment of punishment continues to be a hot button issue in American society today;

therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of each of these four types of

punishments as they relate to today’s American society. Additionally, the purpose is to discuss

which of these types of punishment deters crimes most effectively; furthermore, it will discuss

whether consequences of punishment provide any benefits for criminals or society.

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Running head: PUNISHMENT RESEARCH PAPER Punishment Research Paper Dawnette Dunkley University of Phoenix Sociology--120 Instructor: Loren Butler Punishment Research Paper Throughout history and in every era, American society struggles to find adequate punishments to address deviant and criminal behaviors. The reality is, punishment is an inherent part of people's lives; it manifests itself in the way parents reprimand children, teaching them about responsibility, accountability, and consequences as well as in the way the judicial system punishes offenders. Unlike Iran that amputates systematically the arm(s) of people accused of stealing; the American justice system provides less severe ways in which to address similar offenses. In the United States, the severity of the punishment is based usually on the degree of the offense, which ranges between paying fines, probation, imprisonment, or execution. Yes, America has had its share of seemingly barbaric punishments for crimes, as its last public execution was only 73 years ago, with the public execution of Rainey-Bethea. Four different types of justification for punishment in American society include retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and societal protection. Even though each of these justifications for punishment helps to reduce crime rates in society, each has its share of controversy, with both advantages and drawbacks. The concept of punishment evolves overtime and garners both supporters and det ...
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