Societal attachments, offending frequency, and techniques of neutralization

This study investigates the influence of societal attachments and offending frequency on the use of neutralization techniques. To do this, 42 auto thieves were interviewed. Findings indicate that socially attached offenders are more likely to use neutralizations than less attached offenders. In addition, when offenders in the low-attached group did use neutralizations, they did not use the same ones that high-attached offenders used. No difference was found between high and low frequency offenders in their likelihood of using neutralizations. They did differ in the types of neutralizations used, and there is considerable variation in the nature of neutralization techniques. Findings are consistent with Sykes and Matza's (1957) original conception of the theory.