Sociology-Cohen's moral panic

Disclaimer-Made off my notes from Christopher's Hay class. May not be 100% accurate to the class ur prof is teaching

The main message of cohen’s moral panic theory

All forms of the media are evil

The 3 things the media does to you

-They lie to you

-They exaggerate the actual truth in the story that they report on

-They tell the story 100% accurately, and give you the full truth SOMETIMES

Cohen’s moral panic theory

Event happens—>Lobby group gets involved, pressures politicians—>Politicians get involved, pressures police—>Police gets involved

What the media cares about according to this theory

Media only cares about self-interest and public engagement, not what the actual truth is

Positive moral panics

Moral Panics and Statistics

Not every moral panic has to have statistics assigned to it. However, the ones that do, are often considered much worse than those without, since the statistics are seen as undeniable evidence by the public.

Sociology

The study of the world around us

The most likely valid source for information

Education

The least likely valid source for information

The Media

The 3 strikes rule

Lobby groups

Politicians

Police