Neutralization Theory: The Five Techniques Of Neutralization

In 1957, two sociologists, Gresham Sykes and David Matza, developed a theory in regards to people neutralizing deviance. This theory represents as the five Techniques of Neutralization. “Through the use of these neutralizations social and internal controls that serve to check or inhibit deviant motivational patterns are blocked, thereby allowing individuals to engage freely in delinquency without serious damage to their self-image” (Copes). Sykes and Matza outlined five neutralization techniques: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victims, condemnation of the condemners, and appeal to higher loyalties. Sykes and Matza studied juvenile delinquents’ behavior to understand the denial process and explain that their improper behavior can extremely benefit amongst other social groups. Through the development of the Techniques of Neutralization, there are five components that Sykes and Matza both identify. The first technique to discuss is the denial of responsibility, therefore, indicates that the delinquent acts caused by an erratic individual can define themselves by lacking responsibility for their own actions, especially when they deny any

This gains significance when people avoid trouble or not face a consequence regardless how severe the situation played as a result. Therefore, Sykes and Matza wanted this theory to impact our society to further display that the delinquent acts caused them to deviate from the actual norms of society. From a sociological point of view, the techniques of neutralization is important in regards to how the role of thinking can contribute towards the way people avert themselves from society’s norms. Nevertheless, this can affect the decision process when composing realistic choices that results into attempting to neutralizing the