Moral Panics

What is a moral panic?

an exaggerated public concern about a behaviour, event, or group perceived as a threat to social order

Which sociologist developed the concept of moral panic?

Cohen

What are folk devils?

individuals or groups portrayed as responsible for social problems and presented as threats to society

What study did Cohen use to develop the concept of moral panic?

his study of media reactions to the Mods and Rockers disturbances

How did the media contribute to the moral panic surrounding the Mods and Rockers?

the media exaggerated the scale and seriousness of the disturbances through sensational reporting

What is deviancy amplification?

the process by which media attention increases the level of deviance it reports

How can media reporting lead to deviancy amplification?

increased publicity can encourage further deviance and strengthen deviant identities

What did Cohen argue was the effect of media exaggeration?

it increased public concern and intensified official responses to deviance

What is a moral entrepreneur?

an individual or group that campaigns to change laws or social attitudes regarding a particular issue

How do moral entrepreneurs contribute to moral panics?

they draw attention to perceived social problems and pressure authorities to take action

What role do politicians play in moral panics?

they may use moral panics to gain support by appearing tough on social problems

What role does the media play in moral panics?

the media identify threats, exaggerate their significance, and increase public concern

What did Young find in his study of drug use?

media exaggeration of drug use contributed to deviancy amplification and increased group cohesion among users

What did Hall et al. argue about the moral panic over mugging?

it diverted attention from economic problems and helped maintain social control

How did Hall et al. explain the media focus on mugging?

the media exaggerated the threat to create fear and support tougher policing

According to Hall et al., whose interests can moral panics serve?

the interests of the state and the ruling class

How do moral panics affect public perceptions of crime?

they can make individuals believe certain crimes are more common or dangerous than they really are

How can moral panics influence criminal justice policy?

they can lead to tougher laws, harsher sentencing, and increased policing

Why are young individuals often the focus of moral panics?

youth behaviour is frequently portrayed as threatening traditional values and social order

How has social media changed moral panics?

information and concerns can spread more rapidly and reach larger audiences

What is a criticism of moral panic theory?

it may overestimate the influence of the media on audiences

What is another criticism of moral panic theory?

not all public concerns are exaggerated or irrational, and some may reflect genuine social problems

How do postmodernists view media audiences during moral panics?

audiences are active and capable of interpreting media messages in different ways

What is the relationship between moral panics and social control?

moral panics can justify increased surveillance, regulation, and control of particular groups

What overall conclusion can be drawn about moral panics?

moral panics demonstrate how media representations can shape public concern, influence policy, and contribute to social control