Matza: Subterranean Values and "Drift" (1964)

Matza presents an interesting functionalist alternative to subcultural theories where he suggests that, in fact, we all share the "delinquent" values that lead some people to criminal and deviant behaviour but that most of us, most of the time, are able to keep them suppressed. This is a learned skill, however, so we are more likely to commit crime or engage in deviant behaviour when we are young and less so as we age. As such people are neither conformist nor deviant; instead, people are able to "drift" between both throughout their life.

Matza suggests that the proof for the existence of these subterranean ("underground") values comes from the fact that people seek to "neutralise" their deviant acts. If people really had a different set of values when they behaved deviantly, they would believe their deviant behaviour was appropriate/correct. However, people quickly seek ways to justify their behaviour or question their responsibility in terms of mainstream values. Therefore, according to Matza, they must understand and share those values. He suggests that people use a number of techniques of neutralisation.