An offender arrested for assault says: "I had to do it, he was threatening my little sister, and I had to protect her!" This is an example of which technique of neutralization?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The offender is invoking a higher loyalty to their little sister as justification for their assault, suggesting that protecting her outweighs the offense they committed. This is a classic example of the neutralization technique known as an appeal to higher loyalties.

An Offender Arrested for Assault Says: "I Had to Do