Moral panics

Question 1

Moral panic

Answer 1

An exaggerated over reaction by society to a perceived problem, usually driven by the media where the reaction enlarges the problem out of all proportion to its real seriousness

Question 2

First step of a moral panic process:

Answer 2

The media identify a group as a ‘folk devil’ that poses a threat to societal values

Question 3

Second step of a moral panic process

Answer 3

The media present the group in a negative stereotypical fashion and exaggerate the scale of the problem

Question 4

Third step of the moral panic process:

Answer 4

Society starts to panic due to the media representation of the group and the scale expressed

Question 5

Fourth step of the moral panic process:

Answer 5

Moral entrepreneurs, politicians, the police, editors condemn the group and its behaviour

Question 6

Final step of the moral panic process:

Answer 6

Results in a crack down on the group but often creates a self fulfilling prophecy and amplifies the issue further

Question 7

What does Cohen believe the media focus on?

Answer 7

Exaggeration and distortion of events, Prediction and Symbolisation

Question 8

Who argued the deviance amplification spiral?

Answer 8

Cohen

Question 9

How did the media further amplify the deviance?

Answer 9

Defining the groups by their subcultural styles, leading to more youths adopting the styles thus more participants. Media crystallised two distinct identities - led to tight knit gangs

Question 10

One further way the media can cause crime and deviance:

Answer 10

Labelling

Question 11

Examples of moral panics

Answer 11

Teenagers
Immigration
Illness after covid
XL bully dogs

Question 12

Evaluation of the ideas of moral panics

Answer 12

Assumes the media reaction is an over reaction but who decides this?
There is nothing to suggest what turns the amplifier on and off - why are the media able to amplify some and not others