21st-Century trends in support for the death penalty among Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics

While studies of attitudes toward capital punishment abound, there is little research on racial/ethnic differences in trends in support for the death penalty in the United States. To fill this lacuna, this study examines racial/ethnic differentials in trends in support for the death penalty among Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics in the U.S. in the twenty first century, utilizing data from the pooled General Social Surveys 2000–2022. The results of trend analysis and logistic regression analyses reveal declining trends at varying levels among most racial/ethnic groups but a rising trend with fluctuations among Blacks in support for the death penalty. We also identify similarities and differences in the determinants of support for the death penalty across these racial or ethnic groups.