moral panic

Question 1

cohen

Answer 1

Has called moral panics ‘a situation where an individual or group is:
Labelled by the media
Defined as a threat to society’s values
Presented in a stereotypical fashion
Made a target by the local authorities
Cohen also referred to more recent examples of moral panics in the media. For example the Death of Leah Betts from ecstasy, in which Thornton studied raves in the 90’s and applied this work to Cohen’s. They found evidence of a moral panic surrounding ravers and drug taking. Thornton conducted an ethnography and discovered that the reality of the situation was very different to what was being presented in the media. The incident led to a moral panic that all young people were drug taking, which in turn, led to more children taking drugs.

Question 2

Goode and Ben Yehud

Answer 2

Concern – There must be the belief that the behaviour of the group or activity deemed deviant is likely to have a negative effect on society.
Hostility – Hostility toward the group in question increases, and they become “folk devils”. A clear division forms between “them” and “us”.
Consensus – Though concern does not have to be nationwide, there must be widespread acceptance that the group in question poses a very real threat to society. It is important at this stage that the “moral entrepreneurs” are vocal and the “folk devils” appear weak and disorganized.
Disproportionality – The action taken is disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the accused group.
Volatility – Moral panics are highly volatile and tend to disappear as quickly as they appeared because public interest wanes or news reports change to another narrative

Question 3

Thornton

Answer 3

Ethnographic on Leah beats the media amplified reality

Question 4

folk devils

Answer 4

FOLK DEVILS - Groups/people that are targeted by the media- they are stereotypes and labelled as bad, this negative media coverage leads to moral panics as well as self fulfilling prophecy which can lead to deviancy amplification.

Question 5

wilkins

Answer 5

A ‘deviant’ act is committed. These acts are normally criminal or behaviour that is seen to go against society’s norms and values.
A problem group is identified, known as ‘folk devils’.’ Reports of their deviant behaviour are sensationalised. These reports often highlight ‘bourgeoisie’ examples, but they are seen to confirm a ‘pattern’ of concerning behaviour. This created public concern.
A public desire to be ‘kept informed’ emerges. This results in higher audiences.
Publicity glamorises the ‘deviant’ behaviour and makes it attractive to some and therefore more people engage in the deviant behaviour.
Moral panic develops and public concern emerges about the real or exaggerated ‘threat.’ Reporting in the media continues and demands for action occurs. Law enforcement focuses on the ‘threat’ and pressure for harsher punishments occurs, politicians pass new laws to ‘deal’ with perceived threats
The public feel their fear is justified and moral panic reinforces
The media profits more from the spiral and continues to report deviance