H. Naci Mocan, PhD Biography

"There are a number of significant issues surrounding the death penalty, ranging from potential racial discrimination in the imposition of the death penalty to discrimination regarding who is executed and who is commuted once the death penalty is received. Although it is important to preserve objectivity in evaluating scientific research, because of the nature of death penalty, it seem like ideologues, activists, and some scientists also feel compelled to enter the debate with opinions formed based on selective readings and half-truths. [Our] original findings are robust, providing evidence that people react to incentives in the domain of capital punishment. Yet, this result does not imply that capital punishment is good or bad, nor does it provide any judgment about whether capital punishment should be implemented or abolished."