Kuala Lampur, Aug. 27 -- Ever heard of neutralisation theory?

The theory explores how individuals who commit crimes justify their actions to mitigate feelings of guilt and evade responsibility. It was developed by criminologists David Matza and Gresham Sykes in the 1950s and 1960s based on the works of previous sociologists.

Five specific techniques of neutralisation were identified: (1) denial of responsibility, (2) denial of injury, (3) denial of the victim, (5) condemnation of the condemners, and (5) appeal to higher loyalties.

Each technique allows offenders to justify their behaviour, often by shifting blame or minimising the perceived harm of their actions.

Take the example of an offender who would say that he had no choice but ...