What does 'drift' refer to in the context of neutralization theory?

In the context of neutralization theory, 'drift' refers to the concept of individuals moving between conformity to societal norms and deviant behavior. This theory, developed by sociologists Gresham Sykes and David Matza, suggests that people are not wholly committed to deviant behavior or fully integrated into society. Instead, they might oscillate between adhering to societal rules and engaging in deviance based on situational factors or the justifications they create to neutralize their guilt.

During this 'drift,' individuals may adopt various techniques of neutralization, such as denying responsibility or condemning the condemners, which allows them to rationalize their deviant actions while still considering themselves to be part of the larger societal framework. This fluidity suggests that criminal behavior is not necessarily fixed but can change depending on circumstances, peer influences, and personal justifications. The other choices do not appropriately capture this dynamic movement between conformity and deviance inherent in the concept of 'drift.'