NCJ Number
152126
Journal
Criminology Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1994) Pages: 555-580
Date Published
1994
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study uses data from the second and third waves of the National Youth Survey to examine the effect of neutralization regarding violence on juveniles' violent behavior.
Abstract
The second and third waves of the National Youth Survey involved a longitudinal survey of delinquency and drug use. The survey was based on a national probability sample of youths aged 11 to 17 years; 1,725 respondents were interviewed at wave one in early 1977. The second wave, conducted a year later, focused on delinquency during the 1977 calendar year; it covered 1,655 respondents. The third wave, conducted the following year, contained 1,626 respondents. The four measures that focused on violence neutralizations dealt primarily with that technique of neutralization known as denial of the victim. Neutralization refers to that process whereby a person excuses or rationalizes his/her delinquent behavior under certain circumstances. The data show that only a small percentage of adolescents generally approve of violence or express indifference to violence. A large percentage of adolescents, however, accept neutralizations that justify the use of violence in particular situations. Both cross- sectional and longitudinal data suggest that the acceptance of these neutralizations contributes to violent behavior. Further, the effect of these neutralizations on violence is conditioned by certain variables; neutralization is most likely to lead to violent behavior among those who disapprove of violence and associate with delinquent peers. 3 tables and 57 references