Scott and Brendan are both part of a gang. They have just received a text from another gang member informing them that Scott's cousin, Martin, has been very badly beaten by several of the fellow gang members. They learn that Martin had given the police information that led to the arrest of several other members of the gang. Scott tells Brendan that even though Martin was his cousin, and he was a good guy, in his view, Martin got what he had coming since loyalty to the gang is the most important loyalty. According to the work of Sykes and Matza, how can Scott's attitude best be described?
A) as social bonding
B) as social adaptation
C) as subcultural adaptation
D) as a justification technique

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Scott's attitude can best be described as a justification technique, specifically the justification of the gang's violent behavior towards Martin as a result of his disloyalty. Sykes and Matza's techniques of neutralization suggest that delinquents justify their deviant behavior through a series of rationalizations or justifications, including denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, condemnation of the condemners, and appeal to higher loyalties. Scott's justification of the gang's behavior towards Martin as necessary for loyalty to the gang is an example of the appeal to higher loyalties technique.

Scott and Brendan Are Both Part of a Gang