Final answer:
The techniques of neutralization can be used to justify cheating on exams and other forms of criminal behavior like retail theft. These techniques include denial of responsibility, denial of injury, condemnation of the condemners, appeal to higher loyalties, and shifting the blame.
Step-by-step explanation:
The techniques of neutralization can be tied into what we have learned about Property Crimes this week. These techniques are used by individuals to rationalize and justify their deviant or criminal behavior. In the context of cheating on exams, students may use techniques such as denial of responsibility, denial of injury, condemnation of the condemners, appeal to higher loyalties, and shifting the blame to justify their actions.
For example, a student may deny responsibility by claiming that they had no other choice but to cheat due to academic pressure or unfair expectations. They may deny injury by arguing that cheating doesn't harm anyone and everyone does it. They may condemn the condemners by accusing the education system or teachers of creating a culture that encourages cheating. They may appeal to higher loyalties by justifying cheating as a means to achieve a bigger goal, such as getting into a prestigious college. And finally, they may shift the blame by blaming their peers or the school for not creating a fair testing environment.
These techniques of neutralization are not limited to cheating on exams but can also be applied to other forms of criminal behavior, such as retail theft. In this case, individuals may use similar justifications to rationalize stealing, such as denying responsibility by claiming financial hardship or feeling entitled to the stolen goods, denying injury by arguing that the store won't even notice the loss, condemning the condemners by accusing the store of unfair pricing or unethical practices, appealing to higher loyalties by justifying theft as a means to survive or provide for their family, and shifting the blame by blaming society or the economic system for their actions.
Learn more about Techniques of Neutralization and Criminal Behavior