Deck 27: The Devil Made Me Do It: Use of Neutralizations

Question 1

All of the following are part of the original five techniques of neutralization offered to justify deviance proposed by Sykes and Matza EXCEPT

A) denial of responsibility.
B) denial of injury.
C) everybody else is doing it.
D) condemning the condemners.

Answer 1

everybody else is doing it.

Question 2

Although a crime of larceny, shoplifting may be considered a "folk crime" because

A) "everybody else is doing it so why shouldn't I?"
B) "stores can afford to lose a few items every now and then."
C) most people who shoplift do it because they have no choice if they plan to be accepted by others.
D) a majority of Americans have engaged in it at one point or another in their lives and appear to view shoplifting and shoplifters as "normal."

Answer 2

a majority of Americans have engaged in it at one point or another in their lives and appear to view shoplifting and shoplifters as "normal."

Question 3

In addition to Sykes and Matza's original five techniques of neutralization, Cromwell and Thurman learn that shoplifters use which one of the following additional techniques?

A) Defense of necessity
B) "What goes around comes around."
C) Denial of responsibility
D) Defense of convenience

Answer 3

Defense of necessity

Question 4

In addition to Sykes and Matza's original five techniques of neutralization, Cromwell and Thurman learn that shoplifters use which one of the following additional techniques?

A) denial of responsibility.
B) nullification of crime.
C) "you get what you (don't) pay for".
D) justification by comparison.

Question 5

Which of the following techniques of neutralization fit the example, "I didn't really hurt anyone"?

A) Denial of victim
B) Denial of responsibility
C) Everybody else is doing it
D) Denial of injury

Question 6

Which of the following techniques of neutralization fit the example, "I didn't do it for myself"?

A) Denial of responsibility
B) Appeal to higher loyalties
C) Condemning the condemners
D) Denial of victim

Question 7

Cromwell and Thurman identify all of the following techniques of neutralization that shoplifters use to justify their deviance EXCEPT

A) denial of the necessity of the law.
B) postponement.
C) defense of necessity.
D) justification by comparison.

Question 8

Regarding whether the neutralization of the crime for the offender occurs prior to or after the act of shoplifting, Cromwell and Thurman suggest

A) after the act only, as suggested by Coleman.
B) both: a post-crime rationalization may serve as a pre-crime rationalization the next time.
C) both: shoplifting easily becomes self-reinforcing behavior.
D) prior to act only, as held by Sykes and Matza.

Question 9

Discuss why shoplifters, even though participants in a relatively widespread "folk" crime in our society, invariably employ various techniques of neutralization for their crime? Explain.

Question 10

Describe and identify six of the nine neutralizations Cromwell and Thurman found in their research regarding shoplifters' attempts to justify their crimes. Which do you think are most likely used in everyday life as well? Explain.

Question 11

Describe and identify the two new neutralization techniques identified by Cromwell and Thurman, giving examples.