Evaluate sociological explanations of media-generated moral panics - ESSAY PLAN

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  • Created by: Chidox
  • Created on: 26-03-18 09:06
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  • Evaluate sociological explanations of media-generated moral panics
    • Introduction
      • Moral Panic =exaggerated over-reaction by society to a perceived problem (driven by media)= enlarges problem out of all proportion to its real seriousness.
        • 3 stages
          • 1) Media identify group as a folk devil (threat to societal values
            • 2) Media present group in negative way + exaggerate scale of problem
              • 3) Moral entrepreneurs, politicians, police chiefs, bishops ect.... condemn group + behaviour
          • 2) Media present group in negative way + exaggerate scale of problem
            • 3) Moral entrepreneurs, politicians, police chiefs, bishops ect.... condemn group + behaviour
        • e.g. Mods and Rockers
          • Exaggeration + distortion
          • Prediction
          • Symbolism
          • COHEN
            • => deviance amplification spiral
              • Increased marginalisation + stigmatisation
              • CRITICISM
                • What turns deviance amplification on and off ?
                • Why media amplify some problems + not others?
                • Why do panics not carry on?
            • Modern society relies on media = NO direct experience => mods+rockers portrayed as folk devils.
              • CRITICISM
                • Assumes reactions = disproportionate over-reaction BUT who decides what is a panicky one??
                  • LEFT REALISTS
                    • Fear of crime = rational
            • Occurs at times of scoial change = reflects anxieties if values threatened
              • => 'BOUNDARY CRISIS'
                • CRITICISM
                  • McROBBIE and THORNTON
                    • M.P's= less impact = little consensus of what is deviant e.g single motherhood NO longer regarded as deviant => harder to create panics about them.
    • COHEN
      • => deviance amplification spiral
        • Increased marginalisation + stigmatisation
        • CRITICISM
          • What turns deviance amplification on and off ?
          • Why media amplify some problems + not others?
          • Why do panics not carry on?
      • Modern society relies on media = NO direct experience => mods+rockers portrayed as folk devils.
        • CRITICISM
          • Assumes reactions = disproportionate over-reaction BUT who decides what is a panicky one??
            • LEFT REALISTS
              • Fear of crime = rational
      • Occurs at times of scoial change = reflects anxieties if values threatened
        • => 'BOUNDARY CRISIS'
          • CRITICISM
            • McROBBIE and THORNTON
              • M.P's= less impact = little consensus of what is deviant e.g single motherhood NO longer regarded as deviant => harder to create panics about them.
    • NEO-MARXISTS    -Hall et al       (1979)
      • M.P. over mugging- 1970's = distraction from crisis of capitalism => divided w/c on racial grounds + legitimate MORE authoritarian rule
    • FUNCTIONALISTS
      • = Response to anomie or normlessness
        • Dramatise threat of folk devil = increase collective consciousness + maintains social controls

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