Moral panics + deviancy amplification

Question 1

Interactionist - Wilkins

Answer 1

Media strengthens and magnifies deviance in society. Deviancy amplification is when the media reports and represents an exaggerated version of members of society engaging in behaviours that go against accepted norms and values

e.g. Unemployed, roadmen/’hoodies’, young people

Question 2

Interactionist - Cohen

Answer 2

group is labelled by the media as a threat to society’s values, creating a folk devil + presented in stereotypical view makes them a target.

e.g. mods and rockers First fight at Clapton-on-sea which was exaggerated due to a slow news day, despite minimal damage. Second at Brighton, reporters encouraged violence. ‘Elderly people fleeing their homes’

Question 3

Interactionist - Fawbertt

Answer 3

Newspaper reported on ‘hoodies’ 2004-2008. In 2004, one article used ‘hoodie’ to describe a young thug. In 2005, Bluewater Shopping Centre caused outrage by banning shoppers who wore hoodies and baseball caps.

e.g. media seized this and ‘hoodies’ became a common term between 2005-2007 to describe young people involved in crime.

Question 4

intercationist - Goode and Ben Yehuda

Answer 4

Five elements to a moral panic: concern (about negative effect on society), hostility (became folk devils due to societal division), consensus (acceptance they pose a societal threat), disproportionality (to actual threat), volatility (stories disappear quick)

e.g. Boris Johnson wanting to reduce knife crime as news reporting encouraged public perception that its increasing, and action needs to be taken

Question 5

Functionalist - Ferudi

Answer 5

Moral panics arise when society fails to adapt to dramatic social changes and feel there is a loss of control over youth. They reflect wider concerns of the older generation about the nature of society.
media is responsible for the loss of traditional norms and values.

e.g. Three young people sentenced for their parts in shocking violent incident in Shrewsbury’

Question 6

Maxist/ Neo Marxist - Hall

Answer 6

Moral panics distract people from the real social problems of society. They benefit capitalism as the ruling class defines deviance and decides who folk devils are - protects rc dominance

1970s moral panic over ‘black muggers’ was created by those in power to serve capitalism

Question 7

Postmodern - Waiton

Answer 7

Contemporary societies generate a range of fears and associated panics. They are less likely to occur because societies no-longer have a strong central moral code shared by most of the population, so we have no morals to threaten, so they can’t occur

e.g. Left (The Guardian) critical of Rwanda Bill 2023, Right (The Daily Telegraph) supports Conservatives