Topic 2 - the crime and the media? Flashcards
Introduction?
Most people may not experience crime directly and instead form their perceptions through media representation. This can lead to views that are unreliable or unrepresentative, as they rely on partial and curated information. Consequently, crime and deviance are socially constructed concepts, heavily influenced by media rather than personal encounters.
Chibnall ( 1977)?
found that most news stories mentioned nonviolent crime
Et hal?
leader of the research in 2001 -found this form of crime is less likely to be reported
(non-violent crime)
Media misrepresentations of crime?
Studies indicate significant media focus on crime. Williams and Dickinson (1993) found that 20% of British newspaper coverage is crime-related, while Ericson (1991) reported that 45-70% of news from Canadian outlets centers on crime.
Entertainment representation of criminals?
Media often misrepresents criminals, portraying them as clever and leading exciting lives, while reality is more mundane. Key fallacies include:
Police Efficiency Fallacy: Crime is often unsolved; for example, under 25% of burglaries result in charges (Smith et al., 2013).
Dramatic Fallacy: Media focus on rare violent crimes like murder and rape, which typically stem from quarrels.
Ingenuity Fallacy: Many crimes are impulsive rather than premeditated (Felson, 2013, 2014).
News outlets choose stories based on perceived newsworthiness, influenced by factors like dramatic content (Galtung and Ruge, 1965, 1973).
New crimes like road rage and identity theft have emerged, but reporters often sensationalize them. During quieter news periods, such as summer in the UK, sensational stories may be fabricated, as seen with a false claim about asylum seekers and the queen’s swans.
Additionally, the media may socialize young people, especially young men, into criminal behaviors, as suggested by Bandura’s 1977 study, though responses to media vary by demographics.
Stan cohen?
The media often overreacts to events, as seen in the 1960s gang fights between Mods and Rockers. This phenomenon, known as deviancy amplification, occurs when media over-reporting of crime leads to moral panic, portraying criminals as folk devils—outsiders blamed for social issues. This response prompts authorities, like the police, to act as moral guardians, which can inadvertently encourage more deviant behaviour and increase criminal activity.
