Criticisms of the Interactionist View:

Question 1

Functionalists

Answer 1

Media isn’t exaggerating — just showing real worries.

Question 2

Furedi

Answer 2

Older people fear losing traditions.
Panic is about social change, not just media lies.
Main idea:
Moral panic = fear of change, not just media hype.

Question 3

COHEN – Folk Devils and Moral Panic

Answer 3

Studied Mods and Rockers fights.
Media exaggerated and labelled them as “folk devils”.
Public panic and tougher punishments followed.
Panic quickly died down.
Main idea:
Media creates fear by labelling groups badly.

Question 4

FAWBERT – Hoodie Panic

Answer 4

Shops banned hoodies.
Media linked “hoodies” with crime.
Young people wore hoodies even more.
Main idea:
Media labels clothes as criminal — causes a panic.

Question 5

GOODE & BEN-YEHUDA – 5 Features of Moral Panic

Answer 5

Concern about a threat.
Hostility to a group.
Agreement it’s a danger.
Overreaction.
Panic fades fast.
Main idea:
Moral panic needs fear, anger, and overreaction.

Question 6

HALL – Marxist View

Answer 6

Moral panics distract from real issues (like poverty).
Ruling class blames minorities (e.g., ‘black muggers’).
Main idea:
Powerful people create panics to keep control.

Question 7

WAITON – Postmodern View

Answer 7

Today, no shared morals = less panic.
Society is too divided for old-style panics.
Main idea:
Modern society = less chance of moral panics.

Question 8

WILKINS – Deviancy Amplification

Answer 8

Media exaggerates small problems.
Public panic grows.
Police crack down harder.
Problem gets worse.
Main idea:
Media makes deviance worse by overreacting.