Green, Gill and South, Nigel and Smith, Rose (2006) “They Say That You Are a Danger But You Are Not”: Representations and Construction of the Moral Self in Narratives of “Dangerous Individuals”<sup>1</sup>. Deviant Behavior, 27 (3). pp. 299-328. DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620600605580
Green, Gill and South, Nigel and Smith, Rose (2006) “They Say That You Are a Danger But You Are Not”: Representations and Construction of the Moral Self in Narratives of “Dangerous Individuals”<sup>1</sup>. Deviant Behavior, 27 (3). pp. 299-328. DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620600605580
Green, Gill and South, Nigel and Smith, Rose (2006) “They Say That You Are a Danger But You Are Not”: Representations and Construction of the Moral Self in Narratives of “Dangerous Individuals”<sup>1</sup>. Deviant Behavior, 27 (3). pp. 299-328. DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620600605580
Abstract
This article is based on an analysis of narratives of 26 offenders with mental health problems living in the United Kingdom. It explores the impact of an ascribed dangerous status and the construction of the self as moral and responsible in response to this label with reference to the literature on denial, deviance disavowal and other "techniques of neutralization and Goffman's presentation of self. Two dominant strands are identified in relation to the construction of moral self-hood: "Not my fault and "Good at heart narratives. "Techniques of neutralization are widely drawn on, particularly denial of responsibility in the "Not my fault narratives that seek to explain anti-social behavior with reference to external forces such as a hostile environment inhibiting their ability to control their lives. In contrast, "Good at heart narratives draw on the essentially good and moral nature of the inner-self. Both are used as evidence of sharing and adhering to moral norms in order to present an acceptable and credible self.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HM Sociology |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Science and Health > Health and Social Care, School of Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology and Criminology, Department of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 01 Sep 2015 13:59 |
Last Modified: | 04 Dec 2024 06:19 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/10966 |