Sykes And Matz Techniques Of Neutralization

Sykes and Matza claim that criminals hold the same values as mainstream society. People that commit crimes are likely to feel guilt and shame over criminal behaviors that violate basic societal norms. However, they develop coping techniques in order to justify their actions and neutralize their guilt. Sykes and Matza describe five techniques of neutralization: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of condemners and appeal to higher loyalties.
As I read the interview excerpts, a few of the techniques of neutralization were visible. In excerpt #2, the individual is appealing to higher loyalties: “I still am a SGD. Deep down I am still a SGD”. When asked what it meant to be an SGD, he replied that it gave