Neutralization of drinking behavior

Neutralization theory was examined as it related to drinking behavior among a sample of 2,424 university students. Neutralization was conceptualized as part of a continuum of responses beginning with the moral principle “drinking is wrong,” through a situational exception to the moral principle, and then to neutralizations of drinking behavior through denying responsibility, denying injury, denying a victim, condemning condemners, and appealing to higher loyalties. Findings supported the application of neutralization theory to drinking behavior only for a small percentage of drinkers: 17.4% of the total sample and 9.4% of those who drink accept the moral principle but made exceptions to it. Possible explanations for variations in reports of problem drinking are discussed.