Which form of punishment expresses societal moral outrage and vengeance?

• A. Deterrence
• B. Retribution
• C. Rehabilitation
• D. Courts

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how punishment can reflect society’s moral feelings of outrage and the desire for vengeance. Retribution is the form of punishment that fits this idea best because it is driven by the offender’s moral guilt and a sense that justice requires the offender to pay for the harm they caused. It focuses on giving punishment as a deserved response, restoring a moral balance, rather than aiming to deter future crime or to reform the person. Deterrence looks to preventing crime by fear of punishment, and rehabilitation aims to change the offender’s behaviour. Courts are institutions that administer punishment, not a form of punishment expressing moral outrage. So the correct concept is retribution.