Examining the Influence of Social Controls and Learning on Techniques of Neutralization

• In Event: Social Influences on Antisocial Attitudes and Behaviors

Abstract

a) Objective: Neutralization theory assumes that neutralizations are learned, leading most research in this area to examine the effects of neutralizations from a learning perspective. However, prior research has found that weakening social controls can also predict neutralizations although the robustness of this relationship is still in question. The current study aims to examine this gap more closely.
b) Data/Methods: Two waves of the Gang Resistance Education and Training data (G.R.E.A.T. II; N = 3,820) are analyzed. Structural equation modeling is employed to simultaneously examine the effects of social controls and learning processes from peer delinquency on neutralizations.

c) Results: The findings demonstrate that both social controls and learning processes simultaneously predict neutralizations, but the magnitude of the effects for learning processes were larger.

d) Conclusions/Implications: These findings suggest that while both social controls and learning processes collectively contribute to neutralizations, the potential impact of learning processes may be more influential. The theoretical implications of these findings, particularly in relation to the importance of jointly considering both social controls and learning processes in the development of neutralizations, will be discussed in more detail.

Author

• Christopher David Cassity, Florida State University