Neutralization Technique

In the article “Techniques of Neutralization: A Theory of Delinquency” by Sykes and Matza, Juvenile delinquent behavior is described as “learned and… learned in the process of social interactions” (Sykes & Matza 664). This article analyzes the most frequent acts of a juvenile delinquent. The article states five different techniques that juveniles learned and then by them become delinquent. The first technique of neutralization is known as The Denial of Responsibility, which describes how the “delinquent can define himself as lacking responsibility for his deviant actions” (Sykes & Matza 667). The delinquent either states that the crime was not his fault, it or that it was just a simple “accident”. The second technique is The Denial of Injury, which “centers the on the injury or harm involved in the delinquent acts” (Sykes & Matza 667). …show more content…
The delinquent denies that stealing someone’s personal objects, is no harm and they can easily be replaced, while not thinking that those objects could have an emotional connection to the victim. The third technique is The Denial of the Victim, which is described as that “the injury… may be claimed, [as] not really an injury; rather, it is a form if rightful retaliation or punishment” (Sykes & Matza 668). In this situation the victim either blames himself for his injuries or he described himself as the “wrong-doer”. The fourth technique is The Condemnation of the Condemners, which has been described by McCorkle and Korn as “a rejection to the rejectors” (Sykes & Matza 668). This occurs when the deviant switches the spot light from himself and his act to those who disapprove of his motives and delinquent act. The first people delinquent usually point fingers to are the