Final answer:
Public opinion on the death penalty is influenced by complex factors including deterrent beliefs, media, culture, and regional practices, with shifts in opinion also influenced by events like wrongful executions. The use of the death penalty in the U.S. varies by state and historical period, reflecting the problematic nature and multi-layered aspects of this issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
To explain the fact that the death penalty is supported by a significant majority of the U.S. population while both death sentences and executions continue to fall, it is important to recognize that public opinion on the death penalty is multifaceted and influenced by various factors, as per option D.
Factors such as belief in its deterrent effect, media coverage, political rhetoric, cultural and religious beliefs, and regional practices all contribute to this complex issue. Additionally, shifts in opinion are sometimes influenced by awareness of wrongful executions and racial biases in sentencing, as well as general trends in crime rates and attitudes towards criminal justice reforms.
Historically, the use of capital punishment in the U.S. has fluctuated, with periods of high execution rates, such as during the Great Depression, and times of moratorium, notably in the 1970s when the Supreme Court briefly found it unconstitutional due to its cruelty.
For example, Texas accounts for a significant portion of all U.S. executions and policies in certain counties, like Duval County, Florida, show that local practices can greatly influence capital punishment statistics.
However, it's crucial to understand that individual states have varying stances on the issue, with some abolishing the death penalty due to concerns about wrongful convictions and justice system disparities.