Moral Panics and the Media

• What is a moral panic?

  An exaggerated public concern over a group's behavior
• How is moral panic theory related to labelling theory?

  Moral panic theory applies labelling theory to media
• What is a folk devil?

  The subject of a moral panic targeted by media
• What does deviancy amplification refer to?

  Increased deviance due to media exaggeration
• What are the two key terms related to moral panic theory?

  Folk devils and deviancy amplification
• How is deviancy amplification similar to the self-fulfilling prophecy?

  Both involve behavior changing due to perceptions
• What example did Stan Cohen use to illustrate moral panic?

  • Study of Mods and Rockers
  • Media's role in exaggerating violence
  • Public concern leading to police action
• Who were the Mods and Rockers?

  Two working-class youth subcultures
• What characterized the Mods and Rockers' initial relationship?

  They existed peacefully and focused on style
• What event in 1964 escalated tensions between the Mods and Rockers?

  Minor vandalism and violence during a bank holiday
• How did the media's presence affect the events in Brighton in 1964?

  They exaggerated reports of violence between groups
• What was the public's reaction to the media's exaggerated reports?

  Increased concern and police response to events
• How did the Mods and Rockers perceive each other after media exaggeration?

  They began to see themselves as oppositional
• What are some examples of moral panics mentioned?

  • Inner city mugging by black youths
  • Punks and Skinheads
  • Football Hooligans
  • Pedophiles
  • Islamic Terrorists
  • Benefit Culture
• What assumption does Cohen's moral panic theory make about audiences?

  That audiences are passive and uncritical
• What did Thornton (1995) find regarding moral panic and rave culture?

  The media failed to generate a moral panic
• Why might moral panics not occur despite media exaggeration?

  People become desensitized to exaggerated reporting
• What concerns might be legitimate despite being labeled as moral panics?

  Concerns over child abuse or rising knife crime