David Matza
American sociologist and criminologist
About David Matza
Lived 1930 – 2018 (aged 87). David Matza was an American sociologist, criminologist and university teacher.
David Matza (May 1, 1930 – March 14, 2018 ) was an American sociologist who taught at University of California, Berkeley from 1961.
Life and work Born in New York, he received his PhD from Princeton University in 1959. His research fields included deviant behavior, social change, poverty and working class life. He is best known for coauthoring, with Gresham Sykes, techniques of neutralization.
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Important facts
People in David Matza's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped David Matza's
Frequently asked questions
Who was David Matza?
American sociologist and criminologist (1930–2018)
When was David Matza born?
David Matza was born on 1 May 1930 in New York City.
When did David Matza die?
David Matza died on 14 March 2018 in Berkeley.
What was David Matza's occupation?
David Matza was a sociologist, criminologist and university teacher.
What nationality was David Matza?
David Matza was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Matza. https://biography.guide/david-matza/
MLA: "David Matza." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-matza/.
Chicago: "David Matza." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-matza/.
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