VOCABULARIES OF MOTIVE

C Wright Mills and Vocabulary of Motive The problem: Why do “good” people do “bad” things? The answer: People acquire ways of thinking that “release” deviant behaviours- they furnish motives. Hence the term, “vocabulary of motive.”

Lyman and Scott on “Accounts” VoM’s (per Mills) were invoked before engaging in deviance. Lyman and Scott suggested that mental “accounting” often has to occur afterwards, as a form of defence. L&S termed these defences “accounts.” 2 distinct forms of accounts: –Excuses: “I know it was wrong, but…” –Justifications: “It wasn’t wrong, because…”

Sykes and Matza on “Drift” The problem: Nobody is deviant all the time. The solution: Persons “drift” in an out of deviant identities and behaviours by “neutralizing” their attachments to conventional morality.

Techniques of Neutralization Denial of responsibility: “I am one of many.” Denial of injury: “They’ll never miss it.” Denial of victim –Depicting attacker as avenger: “I’m protecting my community.” –Alleging the culpability of abstract “perpetrators”: “Capitalism is the real evil here.” Condemnation of condemners: “Who are THEY to accuse ME?” Appeal to higher loyalties: “My religion instructs me.”

Some Applications of the VoM Perspective Scully and Marolla on rapists’ VoM Substance abuse and addiction –“Instant addiction” is a myth –Initial uses are unpleasant or ambiguous –VoM’s enable addiction in several ways: Teaches that sensations are pleasurable Teaches that recurrent use decreases unpleasant effects Provides social support for addicts –Overall, drug use would be impossible without learning- crack does NOT “sell itself”