Using Peer Accounts to Understand Techniques of Neutralization

Abstract

This two-part assignment requires students to administer a questionnaire to peers regarding deviant behavior, after obtaining informed consent, and to use the collected data to identify examples of Sykes and Matza’s techniques of neutralization. They also use the data to distinguish between excuses and justifications in deviant accounts. The assignment is...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

College 200

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

This is a two-step assignment. In the first step, students administer a consent form and questionnaire to a peer and upload the responses. In the second step, they use the compiled responses to answer questions about techniques of neutralization.

Materials needed: (1) Instructions for students regarding the administering of the Deviance...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Demonstrate understanding of Sykes and Matza’s techniques of neutralization.
2. Discern between excuses and justification in accounts of deviant behavior.
3. Become familiarized with research ethics in data collection.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Correctly applying Sykes and Matza’s techniques of neutralization to real-life accounts of deviant behavior in a written assignment (or, alternatively, an in-class group assignment).
2. Identifying examples of excuses and justifications in peer accounts of deviant behavior.
3. Identifying the purpose of informed consent during class discussion and administering consent forms and questionnaires to respondents in compliance with ASA’s Code of Ethics.