Describe Matza’s drift theory and the five techniques of neutralization
What will be an ideal response?
The answer should include the following points:
- Matza’s drift theory:
- states that delinquents drift back and forth between convention and deviancy
- highlights the sense of injustice that juveniles feel about the discriminatory treatment they receive as a result of being nonconformists
- contends that delinquent youths remain integrated into the wider society and that a violation of legal norms does not mean surrendering allegiance to them
- Delinquency becomes permissible when responsibility is neutralized.
- Neutralization theory offers a means of understanding how delinquents insulate themselves from responsibility for wrongdoing.
- The five techniques of neutralization are:
(i) denial of responsibility (“I didn’t mean it”)
(ii) denial of injury (“I didn’t hurt anyone”)
(iii) denial of the victim (“They had it coming to them”)
(iv) condemnation of the condemners (“Everyone is picking on me”)
(v) appeal to higher loyalties (“I didn’t do it for myself”)
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