The 15 opinions in the left column were subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal components to extract factors. Three factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.0 were rotated to a Varimax solution. The rotated Varimax table is displayed at right. Cross-loadings of .20 or higher are shown. Three factors emerged.

The 7 items on Factor 1, the 'Death Penalty Moral & Just' factor, reflects a pro-death penalty system and accounted for 39.2% of the explained variance (Cronbach's alpha=.80).

The 4 opinions on Factor 2, 'Death Penalty Is Unfair', reflect the belief system that the death penalty is unfair to the poor, persons of color, and the innocent. Factor 2 account for 12.0% of the explained variance (Cronbach's alpha=.85).

The 4 opinions on Factor 3, 'Death Penalty Is Immoral', reflects a belief system that capital punishment is morally wrong. Factor 3 accounts for 7.4% of the explained variance (Cronbach's alpha=.85).

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