Techniques of Neutralization: A Theory of Delinquency

Overview

This theory, developed by Gresham M. Sykes and David Matza in their work from December 1957, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding juvenile delinquency, arguing that delinquent behavior is learned rather than inherent. It identifies various techniques that individuals use to neutralize societal norms and engage in delinquent behavior, while maintaining a semblance of alignment with acceptable societal values.

Assumptions About Delinquency

  • Learning Behavior: Sykes and Matza assert that delinquent behavior, like any other social behavior, is learned through social interactions, moving away from the notion that it stems from inherent flaws or stigmas.

  • Differential Association: They reference Edwin Sutherland’s theory which posits that criminal behavior involves learning (1) techniques of committing crime and (2) rationalizations and motives that justify it.

  • Delinquent Subculture: Previous theories suggest that a delinquent subculture maintains values and norms that oppose those of respectable society (Cohen). This view, however, is critiqued for oversimplifying the motivation behind delinquent acts.

Limitations of the Subculture Theory

Empirical Shortcomings

  1. Feelings of Guilt: Many delinquents express feelings of guilt or shame upon detection, which contradicts the notion that they inherently believe their actions are justified.

  2. Admiration for Lawfulness: Delinquents often respect law-abiding individuals, suggesting that they recognize the value of lawful behavior.

  3. Selectivity in Victimization: Delinquents differentiate between victims based on social identity, implying a recognition of morality in their acts.

  4. Family Influence: Many juveniles come from families that, while engaging in illegitimate activities, still convey the sentiment that delinquency is wrong.

Theoretical Flaws

  • There is insufficient empirical support to maintain that delinquency solely arises from adherence to a deviant value system, contrary to a broader acceptance of the dominant societal norms.

Techniques of Neutralization Defined

Sykes and Matza propose five techniques of neutralization that help individuals rationalize their deviant actions, allowing them to operate within both their delinquent and societal norms.

1. Denial of Responsibility

  • Overview: Delinquents assert that their actions are not under their control, attributing them to external forces (e.g., bad parenting or peer pressure).

  • Function: This technique diminishes personal accountability, thereby offsetting the disapproval typically associated with delinquent acts.

2. Denial of Injury

  • Overview: This involves the belief that no true harm has been done, as viewed in the context of the delinquent's perspective (e.g., vandalism viewed as harmless mischief).

  • Implications: The delinquent often interprets their harmful acts as negligible, reducing the psychological burden of guilt.

3. Denial of the Victim

  • Overview: The delinquent may justify their behavior by re-characterizing the victim as deserving of their treatment, thereby redefining acts of harm as justified retaliation.

  • Examples: This may manifest in justifications for theft or violence against minority groups, viewing these actions as righting perceived wrongs.

4. Condemnation of the Condemners

  • Overview: Here, delinquents shift focus from their actions to questioning the motives of those condemning them, labeling them as hypocrites or morally unsound.

  • Effect: This technique effectively diverts shame and blame away from the delinquent by eroding the credibility of conforming authority figures.

5. Appeal to Higher Loyalties

  • Overview: Delinquents may justify their actions by prioritizing loyalty to friends or groups over societal laws, framing their deviance as committed in service of their smaller social groups.

  • Significance: This reflects a conflict between broader societal norms and the local norms of loyalty, suggesting that violations may arise from conflicting commitments rather than outright rejection of societal values.

Conclusion

The theory of techniques of neutralization offers a nuanced understanding of juvenile delinquency, illuminating the processes through which individuals rationalize deviant behaviors within a society that they simultaneously accept and reject. Sykes and Matza highlight that this internal conflict is not just a matter of choosing between right and wrong, but reflects complex interactions with broader social systems, making delinquency a product of learned behaviors rather than solely deviant values.

Future Research Directions

Sykes and Matza call for empirical research to explore the applications and variations of these techniques by age, gender, class, and other social distinctions to better understand how neutralizations facilitate delinquent behavior across demographics. Additionally, they suggest examining how these justifications vary by the nature of the delinquent acts committed, as different crimes may be associated with specific forms of rationalization.