Question

Frankie and Johnny stole a Corvette and drove it around town for a few hours to show off to their friends. After being caught by the police, they explained that they were only borrowing the car to have a little fun, and that no one was harmed by their actions. Gresham Sykes and David Matza termed this technique... A appeal to higher loyalties. B denial of injury. C denial of responsibility. D condemnation of the condemners.

Answer 1

Gresham Sykes and David Matza termed this technique B. denial of injury.
A is incorrect because they are not appealing to the higher loyalties, they are simply denying something. They are also not denying their responsibility, because they obviously stole the car. They are also not condemning other people because they know the responsibility is theirs. Thus, B is the correct answer - they say they didn't hurt anyone - this is what they are denying.