neutralization

Techniques of Neutralization explain how offenders justify or rationalize their deviant behavior, allowing them to violate social norms while maintaining a self-image as essentially moral individuals. Key Points Techniques of Neutralization Main Proponents: Gresham M. Sykes, David Matza First Publication: 1957–1958 Country of Origin: United States Core Idea: Offenders use learned techniques to neutralize guilt

continue …

Delinquency and Drift by David Matza (1964) represents a landmark critique of both positivist criminology (e.g., Lombroso) and contemporary theories of juvenile delinquency like Cloward & Ohlin’s differential opportunity theory and Cohen’s subcultural theory. Matza challenges the behavioral determinism in these approaches and argues instead for a nuanced, interactionist understanding of delinquency as a temporary,

continue …