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”)

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

Which of the following involves payments that rely on a bank account and a web-based transfer of funds to or from an established financial account?

a. closed system cards b. digital precious metals c. Internet payment services d. stored value cards

Criminal Justice

Which of the following are primary qualifications for witnesses in American courts?

a. Personal knowledge b. Oath or affirmation c. Competency d. All of the above

Criminal Justice

A substantial portion of illegal arms are sold on the:

a. black market b. gray market c. arms market d. under world market

Criminal Justice

The general trend in the law is to do what with regard to excuses?

a. expand the excuses available to criminal defendants b. limit the excuses available to criminal defendants c. turn to academic researchers to identify what new excuses should be available to criminal defendants d. look to things such as poverty and inequality just as much as more traditional excuses

Criminal Justice