Use Of Neutralization Techniques Research Articles

A systematic narrative review of pathways into, desistance from, and risk factors of financial-economic cyber-enabled crime

Financial-economic cyber-enabled crime (hereinafter: financial cybercrime) has increased dramatically over the past years. However, research on financial cybercrime is still underdeveloped and highly heterogeneous, especially regarding the processes of initiation to and desistance from crime. This paper synthesizes existing knowledge on pathways into, desistance from, and risk factors related to financial cybercrime, and identifies research gaps. Adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we executed a systematic search and identified 37 eligible documents published as of February 2022, indicating two initiation points into financial cybercrime: involvement in traditional crime, and experiencing strain. Through social learning, individuals then learn the necessary skills and knowledge and engage in financial cybercrime, after which the decision to desist is influenced by a cost-benefit analysis, the use of neutralization techniques, and maturing. As for risk factors, we identified 33, with being male, unemployed, having low self-control and deviant peers, and wanting to earn money quickly being of potential importance. Regarding research gaps, there is a dearth of research related to the initiation and desistance processes of financial cybercrime, and the identified studies lacked a robust research designs, with 76 percent being of low or medium quality. More quality research is needed to address these issues.

Beyond anger: A neutralization perspective of customer revenge

Although previous studies have elucidated emotional and cognitive routes toward customer revenge, they have mainly paid attention to customers’ perceptions about service failures and vendors. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying how customers justify their revenge behaviors has not been theorized or examined. To advance this line of research, our research draws on neutralization theory to interpret how customers rationalize their revenge behaviors. Furthermore, we distinguish the influences of emotional and rational paths on direct and indirect revenge behaviors across different failure contexts. Two studies were conducted to test our proposed hypotheses. The results demonstrate that dissatisfactory services facilitate customers’ revenge behaviors through the use of neutralization techniques. In addition, compared to neutralization techniques, anger has a more salient effect on direct revenge behaviors, while neutralization techniques dominate anger toward indirect revenge behaviors. Moreover, such differential impacts become more salient in process vs. outcome failures. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Stop making excuses: reducing unethical behavior and improving performance and relationship quality

Stop making excuses: reducing unethical behavior and improving performance and relationship quality

In defense of leader misconduct: the use of neutralization techniques by ingroup members

ABSTRACT The current study is an initial effort to investigate the value of neutralization theory to understand how, by what method, to what degree, and in what condition ingroup members defend their leader against charges of misconduct. We propose that ingroup members use neutralizing techniques to defend their leaders in the same way they would defend themselves. After exploring the underlying social identity theory driving the use of leader defense, we test our proposition by analyzing the Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Republican Staff Report. Using content analysis, we determine the presence of neutralization techniques and classify those instances into specific neutralization categories proposed in the literature. Using a post-hoc analysis, we then explore under what conditions ingroup members use specific neutralization techniques in defense of an ingroup leader. Our study extends prior theory and research by examining the use of neutralization techniques in defense of an ingroup leader’s alleged misconduct.

Can individuals’ neutralization techniques be overcome? A field experiment on password policy

Individuals’ lack of adherence to password security policy is a persistent problem for organizations. This problem is especially worrisome because passwords remain the primary authentication mechanism for information systems, and the number of passwords has been increasing. For these reasons, determining methods to improve individuals’ adherence to password-security policies constitutes an important issue for organizations.Extant research has shown that individuals use neutralization techniques, i.e., types of rationalizations, to disregard organizational information-security policies. What has not been determined from extant information security research is whether these neutralizations can be changed through educational training interventions. We argue that training based on principles of cognitive dissonance theory is a promising method for reducing individuals’ use of neutralization techniques. We contribute by showing empirically that training based on cognitive dissonance theory can reduce the use of neutralization techniques when such training is designed to counter such techniques.Using a quasi-experimental design at an organization, individuals received training on neutralization techniques in the context of password security. Using a quasi-experimental design, we found that individuals who received our training treatment exhibited substantially less intent to use neutralization techniques and were significantly more likely to use secure passwords. Additionally, a follow-up measurement three weeks after the training session showed that the experimental treatment retained its effectiveness, i.e., the experimental group exhibited substantially less intent to use neutralization techniques and a greater likelihood of using strong passwords in the future. Additionally, intent was significantly greater in the experimental group. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Unethical sales behavior neutralization: the impact of salesperson role variables and moderating effects of role relationship orientation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between salesperson role perceptions and use of neutralization techniques, given the relationship orientation of the salesperson. Direct relationships between salesperson role conflict, role ambiguity, role task self-efficacy and a salesperson’s propensity to use neutralizations to attribute their unethical selling behavior are tested. The moderating effects of role-relationship orientation on the aforementioned relationships are also exploredDesign/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 163 (cross-industry, B2B/B2C non-retail) salespeople. Results were analyzed and seven hypotheses were tested using SmartPLS to estimate and evaluate a (partial least squares) structural model.FindingsThe study findings conclude that role ambiguity, role task self-efficacy and role relationship orientation directly impact a salesperson’s tendency to use neutralization techniques to justify unethical sales behavior. Role relationship orientation serves to moderate the relationship between role conflict and neutralization use.Research limitations/implicationsThis research integrates attribution and role theories to isolate the conditions where salespeople are prone to use neutralization techniques to justify their unethical behavior. Salesperson role relationship orientation is explored to understand the moderating effects on the salesperson role–neutralization relationships.Practical implicationsSales managers are provided guidance (e.g. training and coaching) to help salespeople navigate feelings of negative role perceptions (role conflict, role ambiguity, role self-efficacy) to minimize the impact on justification of unethical sales behaviors.Originality/valueThis research builds on the sales and ethics literatures by incorporating role and attribution theory to better understand how salespeople approach dealing with their own unethical behavior and the implications on maintaining relationships with their customers.

“It’s Just Paint”: Street Taggers’ Use of Neutralization Techniques

ABSTRACTNeutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free themselves from guilt associated with offending and/or to maintain a non-criminal self-image. Drawing on interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers in a large metropolitan area of Texas, this study explores their use of Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralizations and the reasons they give for drifting in and out of offending. Results suggest that offenders have several common stressors that lead them to engage in tagging and that they make extensive use of neutralization techniques to justify their actions.

Feelings that Make a Difference: How Guilt and Pride Convince Consumers of the Effectiveness of Sustainable Consumption Choices

A significant body of research concludes that stable beliefs of perceived consumer effectiveness lead to sustainable consumption choices. Consumers who believe that their decisions can significantly affect environmental and social issues are more likely to behave sustainably. Little is known, however, about how perceived consumer effectiveness can be increased. We find that feelings of guilt and pride, activated by a single consumption episode, can regulate sustainable consumption by affecting consumers’ general perception of effectiveness. This paper demonstrates the impact that guilt and pride have on perceived consumer effectiveness and shows how this effect rests on the ability of these emotions to influence perceptions of agency. After experiencing guilt or pride, consumers see themselves as the cause of relevant sustainability outcomes. The process of causal attribution associated with these emotions influences consumers’ use of neutralization techniques. Through the reduction in consumers’ ability to neutralize their sense of personal responsibility, guilt and pride positively influence perceived consumer effectiveness. The inability to rationalize-away their personal responsibility, persuades consumers that they affect sustainability outcomes through their decisions. The research advances our understanding of sustainable consumption and identifies a new avenue for the regulation of individual consumer behavior that has significant implications for the development of sustainable marketing initiatives.

Influence of Neutralization Attitude in Academic Dishonesty among Undergraduates

Previous literature had proposed that individuals tend to use neutralization to motivate their decisions to engage in deviant behaviours. This indicated that even though students have strong motivations not to cheat may do so anyway after employing neutralizing strategies. Hence, this study attempted to examine the role of neutralization in influencing students’ attitude towards academic dishonesty. Students tend to use neutralization technique in order to free themselves from feeling guilty in engaging academic dishonesty. Besides that, it also attempted to study the reasons behind college student academic cheating behaviours. This study employed 620 randomly selected students from six different academic institutions. Results supported that students who engaged in academic dishonesty differ significantly from those who did not engage in this deviant behaviour with respect to their tendency to neutralize cheating. Results showed that cheating and neutralization were positively correlated among students. Through the findings, it showed that the use of neutralization techniques explained why students acknowledged that cheating is wrong but still chose to do it anyway.

Do Women and Men Differ in Their Neutralizations of Corporate Crime?

Neutralization theory has commonly been used to understand the motivations of street offending, and recent studies have examined the use of neutralization techniques by corporate and white-collar offenders to account for their crimes. However, few researchers have explored whether this process is gendered. Using data from master of business administration (MBA) students, this study examines how gender influences intentions to inhibit or promote the sale of Panalba, a hypothetical pharmaceutical drug known to harm people, as well as how gender moderates the relationship between techniques of neutralization and corporate offending decisions. Results show that while there are bivariate gender differences in corporate offending decisions and in some of the techniques of neutralization, there are few gender differences in the effect of techniques of neutralization on corporate offending decisions. Directions for future research are highlighted.

“Knocking off a Fat Girl:” an Exploration of Hogging, Male Sexuality, and Neutralizations

ABSTRACT The mistreatment of women in the United States is part of a larger problem of cultural misogyny. Hogging is one of the many forms of mistreatment that is devalued and often overlooked. It is a practice where men seek women who are overweight or unattractive to satisfy their competitive or sexual urges. The purpose of this paper is to understand hogging through men's accounts and use of neutralization techniques. Results indicate that two-thirds of the men we interviewed and all of the accounts we analyzed used neutralization techniques to minimize negative self-conceptions and to manage stigma.

To Snitch or Not to Snitch? Applying the Concept of Neutralization Techniques to the Enforcement of Occupational Misconduct

The controversy over self-regulation has been a central topic of inquiry in sociological research on occupational misconduct and crime. However, few studies have examined the process by which organizational members decide whether to respond to the misconduct of peers, and none have examined the use of neutralization techniques by rule enforcers in organizational settings. The research presented here is based on a case study of the U.S. Naval Academy. Three data sources are analyzed: Survey data collected from Academy midshipmen, semistructured interviews with graduates, and official statistics on occupational misconduct. Findings reveal that Academy members employ a number of neutralization techniques depending on whether they counsel peers, report peers, or choose not to respond to misconduct. Midshipmen who counsel are appealing to peer loyalty, while those who report wrongdoing find themselves neutralizing the effects of violating informal norms about peer loyalty. In contrast, those who ignore misconduct must neutralize the potential effects of betraying loyalty to the institution. In addition to calling for the expansion of neutralization techniques research to include rule enforcers, the implications of this study suggest that the concept be refined to examine the impact of conflicting loyalties on the types of neutralization techniques employed in systems of self-regulation.

Societal attachments, offending frequency, and techniques of neutralization

This study investigates the influence of societal attachments and offending frequency on the use of neutralization techniques. To do this, 42 auto thieves were interviewed. Findings indicate that socially attached offenders are more likely to use neutralizations than less attached offenders. In addition, when offenders in the low-attached group did use neutralizations, they did not use the same ones that high-attached offenders used. No difference was found between high and low frequency offenders in their likelihood of using neutralizations. They did differ in the types of neutralizations used, and there is considerable variation in the nature of neutralization techniques. Findings are consistent with Sykes and Matza's (1957) original conception of the theory.

Techniques of neutralization used by deer poachers in the western united states: a research note

The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the specific techniques of neutralization that were used by deer poachers. The study consisted of two parts. In the first section, a survey instrument containing statements dealing with specific neutralizations was developed by the authors and mailed to individuals who had been cited for illegal deer possession in Colorado from 1990to 1996 (n=42).In the second part of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20poachers and 5 game wardens to obtain information about neutralization techniques in greater detail. The use of neutralization techniques was common, and four techniques occurred most frequently: the denial of responsibility, the metaphor of the ledger, the defense of necessity,and the condemnation of the condemners.