“The Devil Made Me Do It: Use of Neutralizations by Shoplifters” is a research article written by Paul Cromwell and Quint Thurman that interviews shoplifters to find out about their usage of techniques of neutralization precede/after the wrongful behavior. The purposes of this study if to determine the extent in which the shoplifters using the techniques of neutralization. Besides, the researchers want to analyze the types of neutralization being used among the shoplifters to excuse their behavior of shoplifting that they know it is morally wrong. In this study, the researchers identified the extensive usage of techniques of neutralization among the shoplifters to alleviate guilt in doing the wrongful behavior. Plus, the researchers found …show more content…
It is said that shoplifting are different than other forms of crime as most shoplifters population comes from demographic that is somehow similar to ‘average person’ and frequently committed by non-criminal persons—thus they tend to use techniques of neutralization to justify their delinquent behavior. As we learn in week 6 about control theory, there are four elements of social bonds—attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs. This neutralization technique falls under one of the four elements that is belief. People will engage in neutralization technique if and only if they accept and agree with social norms, but they still want to do that wrongful behavior. However, there are part of this research article that discuss about the usage of techniques of neutralization among those who did not hold conventional views and did not committed to he conventional …show more content…
I was in boarding school during my high school years. Plus, I am one of the Student Disciplinary Board (SDB) members. My main role and duty as one of the SDBs members is to monitored students’ behavior and to handle any discipline problems that occur with the help of discipline teachers. There was one time where there was a big theft case happen in girls’ dorm. Most of the students’ belongings were stolen while they were asleep. Long story short, SDB members captured the student who stole all those things. When we asked her why she did that, she used some techniques of neutralization proposed in this paper. She did not come from a poor family and at that time, we were really confused on the reasons why she did that wrongful behavior. But, after reading this article, I think this kid is one of the same case as shoplifters where most of them come from ‘average person’ and committed by