Sociology Plus
Delinquent Drift Definition
Delinquent drift is a sociological concept describing the gradual process by which individuals, who might otherwise adhere to law-abiding values and social norms, move into delinquency. This transition occurs when an individual neutralises legal and moral restraints by subjectively redefining these norms as inapplicable, irrelevant, or unimportant, thereby weakening their attachment to societal controls and making delinquent acts permissible.
Origins and Theory
The concept of delinquent drift is primarily associated with the work of US sociologists David Matza and Gresham Sykes (1957, 1964). Matza argued against deterministic theories of delinquency, suggesting that deviance arises not from strong external forces but from a gentle erosion of societal moral ties. He posited that the delinquent is an active participant in their own behaviour, making choices that lead to drift rather than conversion. This perspective shifts focus away from specific causes and towards the situational nature of delinquency.
Neutralisation Techniques
Crucial to the mechanism of drift is the use of ‘neutralisation’ techniques, which allow individuals to commit unlawful acts while maintaining a sense of self-respect and viewing themselves as decent. These techniques serve to rationalize behaviour by weakening normative restraints. Sykes and Matza identified five key methods through which this neutralisation occurs:
1. Denial of responsibility (e.g., blaming accidents or absent-mindedness).
2. The act did not victimise anyone (‘no harm done’).
3. The victim deserved what they received.
4. Condemning those who condemn you (blaming authorities).
5. An appeal to higher loyalties (justifying the act as helping a relative or friend).
Significance
Matza’s model is significant because it highlights the situational factors in delinquency and recognises that offenders do not necessarily view themselves as immoral or unethical. Unlike some positivist theories which assume individuals must be shocked into law-abidingness, Matza’s approach acknowledges that drift can occur within subcultures that reject dominant values, emphasising the role of individual choice and the gradual weakening of social regulation.