moral panics

Folk devil

• A group is identified as a threat to societal values.

Stereotyping

• Media exaggerates and negatively portrays the group.

Moral entrepreneurs

• Politicians, editors, and others call for action.

Crackdown

Authorities respond with increased control and punishment.

Deviance amplification

The reaction intensifies the problem, creating a cycle of fear and control.

Cohen

• Studied media response to conflicts between mods and rockers in 1960s UK.

• Found that media exaggerated events, leading to public fear and police crackdowns.

• Coined the term deviance amplification spiral to describe how media coverage escalates the issue.

Functionalist

Reinforce social norms and values

Neomarxism

Distract from deeper societal issues; maintain control.

McRobbie and Thornton

Argue moral panics are less relevant today due to media saturation and audience awareness.

Evaluation

• Realist View: Fear of crime may be rational, not exaggerated.

• Criticisms of Cohen’s Theory:

  • Assumes all reactions are over-reactions.

  • Doesn’t explain why certain groups are targeted.

  • Doesn’t account for timing of panics.

  • May be outdated—modern audiences are more media-savvy.