Techniques of Neutralisation (Matza & Sykes)

What are the 5 techniques of neutralisation?

• denial of responsibility

• denial of injury

• denial of victim

• condemnation of the condemners

• appealing to higher loyalties

What are some examples of denial of responsibility?

• “It wasn’t my fault”

• “I had no choice”

What is an example of denial of injury?

“No one got hurt”

What is denial of victim?

“They deserved it”

What is an example of condemnation of condemners?

“The police are corrupt anyway”

What is example of appealing to higher loyalties?

“I did it for my friends/family”