01:920:222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: J. D. Drew

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: 01:920:222
• Professor: Covington

Document Summary

Neutralization theory (drift theory) (sykes & matza 1957) Sykes & matza interview j. d. in detention & found: some j. d. express sense of guilt for their crimes. J. d. admired law abiding people; defend if accused of wrongdoing. J. d. drew a line b/t acceptable vs. unacceptable victims. J. d. participate in same conventional activities as law abiding; aware of conventional morals. Advantages of neutralization theory: can explain why most delinquents mature out of crime, allows delinquents to hold conventional values. Problems with neutralization theory: unclear whether delinquents neutralize before or after criminal behavior.