Techniques of Neutralization - SYKES AND MATZA

Question 1

denial of RESPONSIBILITY

Answer 1

forces beyond one’s contol
perpetrator is propelled into new situations
alienation from the self - illness, intoxication, trance etc.

Question 2

denial of INJURY

Answer 2

injury or harm of the act
mala in se: evil
mala prohibita: prohibited by law
perpetrator feels as if they did not cause harm

Question 3

denial of VICTIM

Answer 3

perpetrator accepts the responsibility, is willing to admit his actions involved injury, and FEELS THAT HE IS NOT IN THE WRONG.

Question 4

condemning the condemners

Answer 4

rejection of the rejectors
shifting the focus away form his actions and towards those/the motives of who disapproves of him - i.e. society is to blame, you are the crooks who made me this way

Question 5

appealing to higher loyalty

Answer 5

the motive of the crime was FOR something or someone else, not personal gain