Essay On Neutralization Theory
There is no such thing as a flawless sociological theory, hence why it is a theory. Matza and Sykes’s Neutralization theory is a perfect example of just that. Neutralization theory assumes that deviant individuals generally conform to social norms while using techniques of neutralization to drift between conformity and deviancy as needed. As will be shown in this critique, other sociologists such as Hirschi, Hughes, and Thurman disagree with the ideas Matza and Sykes have presented. This paper will demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of Neutralization theory through multiple means. The first section, an overview of the positive aspects such as its widespread nature and ease of application, and the second a series of critiques focusing on; the methodologies used, pre-conflict neutralization, the impact of social control, and the lack of social conformity. Neutralization is seen in everyday scenarios and is not limited by the intensity of the deviance. Matza and Sykes’s theory is used to help understand minor deviant behaviours such as petty theft, as well as crimes as serious as rape or murder (Copes and Maruna 2005). Like many other theories, neutralization may not explain the entirety of a deviation, but it can provide part of an understanding and give context to that entirety. However, …show more content…
A lack of influential social norms placed upon an individual allows them to commit deviant acts without the need for techniques of neutralization. A key assumption of neutralization theory is that individuals rely on social norms for cues on how to act or behave in social settings. However, when people do not identify with the social group they are amongst, they no longer need to validate or rationalize their deviant behaviours. Therefore, the significance of social groups and social identity on the deviant limit the scope of
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