Theft of Intellectual Property Neutralization Techniques Within an Era of Computerization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Sykes and Matza’s (1957) techniques of neutralization theory of delinquency could serve as the foundation for understanding how techniques of neutralization relate to willingness to engage in intellectual property theft. Although others have used neutralization theory in its original form to understand how guilt and shame can discourage adolescent individuals from engaging in crime and delinquency, the application of the theory to prediction of intellectual property theft is new. In an effort to address lingering issues with neutralization theory, participants’ willingness to engage in the theft of intellectual property was examined. Denial of negative intent was assessed as a way to address difficulties understanding the temporal cause-and-effect relationships between variables. To facilitate participation, questions were framed to elicit acceptance of neutralization techniques rather than post hoc rationalizations rendering deviant behavior acceptable or appropriate. Subjects of the study were college-aged university students, who, according to previous studies, were the most likely to engage in some form of intellectual property theft because of their unique combination of age, education, and computer literacy. A brief anonymous online survey of college-aged students at a Midwestern university provided raw data from 346 respondents. Regression analysis of the data revealed which techniques of neutralization (denial of victim and appeal to higher loyalties) were most predictive of participants’ willingness to engage in different forms of intellectual property theft. Although it was difficult to isolate a single technique of neutralization that supported or neutralized responsibility for digital piracy behavior, the findings suggested that those who engaged in higher levels of intellectual property theft had a greater acceptance of neutralizing belief systems.