Week 7 CC100 - Media Crime F24 - POST

Media Constructions of Crime

Week 7: Introduction to Criminology

  • Instructor: Michelle Dumas

  • Date: 10/28/24

Social Reality of Crime – Quinney (1970)

  1. Definition of Crime

    • Crime as a definition of human conduct created by authorized agents.

    • Criminal definitions describe behaviors, outlining societal parameters for legality.

  2. Application of Definitions

    • Criminal definitions are actively applied within society to determine what actions qualify as crimes.

  3. Behavior Patterns

    • Behavior patterns are structured in relation to these definitions, influencing which individuals are likely to engage in criminalized actions.

    • Individuals may engage in actions that have varying probabilities of being defined as criminal based on these societal norms.

  4. Social Construction of Crime

    • Conception of crime is constructed and disseminated through various means, including media, influencing societal perceptions.

    • The social reality of crime emerges from the formulation and application of these criminal definitions.

Social Constructionism – Spector & Kitsuse (1977)

  • Overview: Defines how social problems are constructed through claims-making activities.

Key Concepts

  • Claims:

    • Any verbal, visual, or behavioral statement asserting a grievance or condition.

  • Claim-makers:

    • Individuals or groups who assert claims regarding social issues.

  • Claims-making Activities:

    • Process in which claim-makers work to persuade societal audiences about their assertions.

Language and Rhetorical Devices

Importance of Language

  • Language shapes the expression and understanding of moral frameworks within society.

Rhetorical Devices

  • Rhetorical Idioms:

    • Situational conditions in the "moral universe" using commonly accepted notions.

  • Counterrhetorics:

    • Counter-claims that set up dual narratives in claims-making, providing opposing perspectives.

  • Motifs:

    • Figures of speech that exaggerate the significance of a problem, drawing attention.

  • Claims-making Styles:

    • Variability in speech styles used in claims, such as scientific objections or narratives.

Constructions of Crime in Media

  • General Trends:

    • Media frequently emphasizes violent crimes, fostering perceptions of "stranger danger" contributing to public anxiety (Culture of Fear).

  • Distortion in Crime Media (Glassner, 1999; 2009):

    • Media representations of crime often distort the nature and prevalence of actual crime, creating a skewed societal understanding.

Public Arenas Model (Hilgartner & Bosk, 1988)

  • Social Problems and Competition:

    • Social issues compete for attention in public arenas, influenced by media and societal concerns.

  • Carrying Capacities:

    • Different media platforms have varying capacities to cover social issues:

      • Newspapers: Limited in scope<br>

      • Television: Visual mediums drive drama and interest<br>

      • Nonprofits: Emphasis on advocacy, solutions.

Principles of Selection (PAM)

  • Dramatic Representation:

    • Crime stories are often dramatized for effect, highlighting novelty and saturation of coverage.

  • Culture and Politics:

    • Crime problems are selected based on their alignment with cultural concerns and political agendas, often reflecting broader societal priorities.

Moral Panic (Cohen, 1972)

  • Definition:

    • A moral panic occurs when a condition, episode, or group emerges as a perceived threat to societal values.

  • Folk Devils:

    • Groups or individuals portrayed as the embodiment of the threat.

Features of Moral Panic

  1. Media Amplification:

    • Ordinary events are framed as extraordinary, leading to heightened concern.

  2. Deviance Amplification:

    • Incremental focus on deviant behaviors intensifies public scrutiny.

  3. Clarification of Morality:

    • Moral boundaries in society are highlighted and reinforced through discourse.

  4. Historical Contexts:

    • Often occur during rapid social changes.

  5. Focus on Youth:

    • Young people are typically the targets of these panics, symbolizing future societal directions.

Characteristics and Stages of Moral Panic

  • Exaggeration and Misrepresentation:

    • Reporting strategies often involve exaggeration, repeating fallacies, and creating misleading narratives.

Stages of Moral Panic

  1. Threat Definition:

    • Identification of a societal threat.

  2. Recognition:

    • Clear and recognizable forms emerge portraying these threats.

  3. Public Concern Burgeons:

    • Rapid build-up of public concern surrounding the defined threat.

  4. Authority Response:

    • Calls for action from authorities and decision-makers.

  5. Resolution or Change:

    • The panic may recede, resulting in societal changes or awareness.

Role of Authorities in Deviancy Amplification Process (Jewkes, 2005)

  • Authorities play a pivotal role in defining and amplifying deviance through media portrayals, audience engagement, and policy responses.

  • Media often prioritize sensational stories that capture public attention, further driving the amplification of perceived deviance.