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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