Punishment Reactions to Powerful Suspects

Abstract. This study aimed to replicate the intuitive retributivism hypothesis, according which people’s punitive sentiments are predominantly driven by retributive concerns. Contrary prior research that focuses on how people punish offenders, this investigated individuals suspected of immoralities. Moreover, we manipulated a suspect’s power level (high/low/undefined) and stated contrasting hypotheses (the “power corrupts” approach vs. leniency” approach) regarding impact punishment motives. Finally, mediating role recidivism guilt likelihood in these effects. The results replicated hypothesis revealed robustness effect. line with approach, found utilitarian (but not or restorative) motives is stronger powerful suspects as opposed powerless ones. Unexpectedly, neither nor suspect mediated effects