Clustering of Endorsements of Techniques of Neutralization as Predictors of Offending Among College Students: A Latent Profile Analysis Approach

• Author: Thomas Wojciechowski
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016820962166
• Published date: 01 September 2021
• Date: 01 September 2021
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Clustering of Endorsements

of Techniques of Neutralization

as Predictors of Offending

Among College Students:

A Latent Profile Analysis Approach

Thomas Wojciechowski

1

Abstract

Past research has provided evidence that techniques of neutralization may be used to rationalize

offending, and individuals who endorse such rationalizations demonstrate greater offending risk.

However, there is a dearth of research focused on how the endorsement of multiple techniques of

neutralization may cluster together within an individual. There is also little understanding of how

different clusters predict offending risk. The present study utilized data from 248 undergraduate

students. Latent profile analysis was utilized to identify unobserved clusters of stronger/weaker

endorsement of techniques of neutralization. Logistic regression was utilized to model the impact of

differential clustering to predict offending risk. Results indicated that a five-profile solution best fits

the data (low, responsibility deniers, moderate, victim deniers, and high). Participants assigned to the

high profile demonstrated elevated offending risk relative to participants assigned to any of the

other profiles. Participants assigned to the high profile reported relatively high endorsement of all

techniques of neutralization but especially appeal to higher loyalties and denial of injury. Identifi-

cation of college students demonstrating endorsement of techniques of neutralization consistent

with the high profile should be targeted for intervention. Mentoring programs that take a social

learning theory approach may be useful in this regard.

Keywords

individual theories of crime causation, crime/delinquency theory, quantitative methods, other

Techniques of neutralization represent motivations, attitudes, and excuses that are used by criminals

to rationalize their engagement in offending (Sykes & Matza, 1957). These techniques of neutra-

lization are delineated into five separate cate gories based on the form of rationalization made.

Individuals’ degrees of endorsement of these techniques of neutralization should theoretically

1

School of Criminal Justice,Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

Corresponding Author:

Thomas Wojciechowski, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Email: wojcie42@msu.edu

Criminal Justice Review

2021, Vol. 46(3) 326-340

ª2020 Georgia State University

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DOI: 10.1177/0734016820962166

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