"Evaluate sociological contributions to our understanding of the relationship between crime and the media." Flashcards
P1:How does the media shape public perception of crime?
The media decides which crimes to report and how to frame them, constructing the public’s perception of crime. Cohen & Young (1973) argue that news is manufactured, with journalists selecting crimes based on factors like violence, proximity, and shock value.
What is an example of the media exaggerating crime?
Cohen’s (1972) study of the Mods and Rockers shows how the media exaggerated minor scuffles between youth subcultures, creating a moral panic, increasing police presence, and fuelling public fear.
How does agenda-setting influence public and policy responses to crime?
The media frames crime as a growing problem, even when crime rates are falling. This influences public perception and policymaking, often leading to increased policing and stricter laws.
What is the left realist view on media distortions of crime?Eval
Left realists argue that while media distortions are real, crime itself is a serious problem that cannot be dismissed as mere media exaggeration. They emphasise the need to address the root causes of crime.
P2: How does the media increase public fear of crime?
The media over-represents violent crime and portrays criminals in stereotypical ways. Surette (2010) describes the Backwards Law, where violent crime is over-reported, while white-collar crime is under-reported.
What is an example of the media fuelling fear of crime?
During the Migrant Crisis, news outlets often portrayed asylum seekers as criminals, despite little evidence. This fuelled anti-immigration sentiment and led to stricter border controls.
hypereality
The media does not just report crime but creates a hyperreality (Baudrillard, 2001), where the representation of crime in the media becomes more real than actual crime itself. This links to postmodernist ideas that in a media-saturated society, audiences struggle to differentiate between fiction and reality.
What is the evaluation of media-induced fear of crime?
While the media increases fear of crime, official statistics show that crime rates have fallen in many Western countries, suggesting that this fear is largely manufactured by the media.
P3: How does the media create moral panics?
The media labels certain groups as threats to societal values, creating moral panics. Cohen (1972) describes how the media demonised the Mods and Rockers, exaggerating their conflicts and branding them as ‘folk devils’.
What is an example of a modern moral panic?
The media’s portrayal of youth gangs and knife crime has led to aggressive stop-and-search policies, disproportionately targeting Black communities and reinforcing stereotypes.
What is deviancy amplification, and how does it work?
Deviancy amplification is a cycle where media exaggeration leads to increased police surveillance and arrests, reinforcing the idea that certain groups are criminal, which in turn leads to further criminalisation.
How effective are modern moral panics?
McRobbie & Thornton (1995) argue that modern moral panics are less effective because audiences are more sceptical due to social media and instant news. However, they can still influence public opinion and policy.
P4: How does the media potentially cause crime?
The media glamorises criminal behaviour and creates a sense of relative deprivation. Left realists argue that constant exposure to consumerist lifestyles in the media increases the likelihood of crime.
What is an example of the media glamorising crime?
TV shows like Top Boy have been accused of glamorising gang culture, potentially leading to copycat behaviour among impressionable youth.
How does the media normalise deviant behaviour?
By repeatedly portraying crime as exciting or profitable, the media influences audiences who may already be predisposed to crime, normalising deviant behaviour.
What is the evaluation of the media’s role in causing crime?
While the media may glamorise crime, most people exposed to violent media do not commit crimes. Other factors, such as poverty and socialisation, play a bigger role in criminal behaviour.
