1. List and discuss five techniques of neutralization of Sykes and Matza as presented by Becker (pp .307 -308 ). Sykes and Matza outlined five neutralization techniques: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victims , appeal to higher loyalties , and condemnation of condemners . Research on the theory has generally produced mixed results , leading many to conclude that the theory is not powerful enough to serve as a stand alone explanation for crime . Still , neutralization theory has been incorporated into a variety of other theories, including control theory, learning theory, and labeling theory . Denial of responsibility is a technique used when the deviant act was caused by an outside force .This technique goes beyond looking at the criminal act as an accident .The individual feels that they are drawn into the situation , ultimately becoming helpless . These juveniles feel that their abusive families , bad neighborhoods and delinquent peers predispose them to criminal acs . A common statement used "It was not my fault ." Denial of injury occurs when the criminal act causes no harm to the victim .Criminal acts are deemed deviant in terms of whether or not someone got hurt. Using this technique the delinquent views stealing as merely borrowing and views gang fighting as a private argument between consenting and willing participants .The use of this technique is reaffirmed in the minds of these juveniles when society does not look at certain acts , such as skipping school or performing practical jokes ,as criminal , but merely accepts them as harmless acs . ln denial of the victim , the offender believes that the victim deserved whatever action the offender committed .ln condemnation of the condemners , the offender believes that her action was justified because the whole world is corrupt .She