TECHNIQUES OF NEUTRALIZATION
Sociological Theories of Deviance
Sociology 3305
UMD
GRESHAM M. SYKES AND DAVID MATZA
A CLARIFICATION OF ONE OF SUTHERLAND'S MAJOR
POINTS.
I. YOUNG PEOPLE DRIFT IN AND OUT OF
DELINQUENCY
A. THEY FELL A SENSE OF GUILT
B. JUVENILES OFTEN RESPECT AND ADMIRE LAW BIDING ADULTS
THE DELINQUENT "...WOULD APPEAR TO
RECOGNIZE THE MORAL VALIDITY OF THE
DOMINANT NORMATIVE SYSTEM IN MANY
INSTANCES."
C. DELINQUENTS KNOW BEHAVIOR IS
WRONG, THEY DON'T VICTIMIZE CERTAIN GROUPS
D. NOT IMMUNE FROM DOMINATE
SOCIAL ORDER
EVERYONE IS EXPOSED TO DEFINITIONS BOTH
FAVORABLE TO BREAKING THE LAW AND
UPHOLDING IT,
II. WHY DO PEOPLE BREAK THE LAWS THE BELIEVE IN?
A. NORMS ARE NOT `CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVES
B. NORMS ARE QUALIFIED GUIDES
1. RECOGNIZED IN LAW BY THE EXISTENCE OF
PLEAS AND DEGREES
2. MUST HAVE CRIMINAL INTENT OR YOU ARE NOT
MORALLY BANKRUPT
"IT IS OUR ARGUMENT THAT MUCH DELINQUENCY IS
BASED ON WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY AN UNRECOGNIZED
EXTENSION OF DEFENSES TO CRIMES, IN THE FORM
OF JUSTIFICATIONS FOR DEVIANCE THAT ARE SEEN
AS VALID BY THE DELINQUENT BUT NOT BY THE
LEGAL SYSTEM OR SOCIETY AT LARGE."
HOW YOU ONE BREAK THE LAW, DO SOMETHING WRONG
AND STILL LIVE WITH YOURSELF
1. PROTECTS ONE FROM SELF BLAME, GUILT FREE
2. PROTECTS SELF IMAGE
3. ALSO OPENS DOOR TO DELINQUENCY
1. DENIAL OF RESPONSIBILITY
IT WAS ACCIDENTAL OR CAUSED BY FORCES
OUTSIDE ONE'S CONTROL
2. THE DENIAL OF INJURY
NOBODY IS CLEARLY HURT
3. THE DENIAL OF THE VICTIM
AGREES THAT DEVIANT ACTION WAS TAKEN AND
SOMEBODY WAS HURT, BUT, THE INJURY WAS NOT
WRONG
4. THE CONDEMNATION OF CONDEMNERS
SHIFT FOCUS TO THOSE DOING THE CONDEMNING;
HYPOCRITES
5. THE APPEAL TO HIGHER LOYALTIES
COMPETING SET OF RULES TO FOLLOW
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