Recall Sykes and Matza’s Techniques of Neutralization from Chapter 8 (pp. 158–159), which explains how individuals learn five specific ways to neutralize guilt before committing a delinquent act. This week, we will apply that sociological framework to political crime—specifically, terrorism.
Your Assignment Instructions
Step 1: Identify a Type of Terrorism
Review the definitions for the five types of terrorism outlined in Barkan Chapter 14 (pp. 296–297).
Select one type of terrorism, define it in your own words, and provide a documented contemporary or historical example of it.
Include a working link to a credible news source or historical archive documenting your example.
Step 2: Social Science & Theoretical Analysis
Directly below your example, write a structured analysis (5–7 sentences) connecting the event to Sykes and Matza’s framework. You must complete one of the following options:
Option A: Select two or more of the original Techniques of Neutralization and explain exactly how the perpetrators of your chosen event used them to justify or excuse their behavior.
Option B: If the original techniques do not fit the political motivations of your example, create a brand-new Technique of Neutralization. Give your new technique a distinct name and a thorough description explaining how it functions to neutralize guilt.
Example of a new technique: The Technique of the Ledger — “I do bad things to gain money in business, but these are outweighed by all of the good things I do with that money, like giving to charity. When compared side-by-side, the good outweighs and excuses the bad.”
This assignment asks you to select one of Barkan’s five types of terrorism, define it in your own words with a documented example (and a working link), then analyze the event through Sykes and Matza’s Techniques of Neutralization. Connect the terrorist act to how offenders neutralize guilt beforehand.
Key takeaways
- Choose one of Barkan’s five types of terrorism and define it yourself.
- Provide a documented real example with a working credible link.
- Apply Sykes & Matza’s five neutralization techniques.
- Show how the perpetrators rationalized/justified the act.
- Keep the theoretical analysis to 5–7 structured sentences.
Step 1: Define a type and give an example
Select one type from Barkan Ch. 14 (e.g., state terrorism, revolutionary/insurgent, domestic, international, or religious terrorism) and define it in your own words. Provide a documented contemporary or historical example with a working link to a credible news source or archive.
Step 2: Apply Techniques of Neutralization
Connect the event to Sykes and Matza’s five techniques, which let offenders neutralize guilt before acting:
- Denial of responsibility (“I had no choice”).
- Denial of injury (“no real harm was done”).
- Denial of the victim (“they deserved it”).
- Condemnation of the condemners (“the system is corrupt”).
- Appeal to higher loyalties (“for the cause/God/my people”).
Select two or more and show how the perpetrators used them to justify the terrorist act.
Format
Keep the analysis to a structured 5–7 sentences and cite Barkan and your source.
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