Moral Panics.
0th March 2004 Moral Panics Sarah Thornton, a sociologist describes deviance as anything that is considered not normal within society. Moral panics were first studied in 1963 by sociology undergraduate Stan Cohen. Stan Cohen was studying sociology in Johannesburg, who flew over to England, at the time when there was a he media interest in the mods and rockers. What actually happened was that on a slow news day, there was a fight at a small seaside village which involved mods and rockers. With no other stories, the media circled in on this, and reported it, but exaggerated it greatly. So what was a handful of mods and rockers fighting became several hundreds of them brawling, and causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage. Stan Cohen realised this, and began to follow media coverage. Stan Cohen suggests that the following occurs when there is a moral panic. With the extensive media coverage, by the next bank holiday, police and the media were prepared for another brawl, after building up such hysteria. However, with such extensive media coverage, the mods and rockers went to have a fight again, even though there was no need to, and this is what sociologists refer to as a self fulfilling prophecy. Most of the mods and rockers that turned up that weekend, had no idea why they had to fight, but because the media and most of the country expected them too, as this was what
Moral panics
To what extent does the recent concern of 'knife crime' only serve to re-emphasise the significance of 'moral panics' in relation to criminal activity. This essay is going to look at the extent to which the recent concern of knife crime only serves to re-emphasise the significance of moral panics in relation to criminal activity. The essay will begin by examining and defining moral panics and looking at the current concerns over knife crime. Then the essay will briefly look at current debates surrounding knife crime and finally the essay will explore how moral panics explain crime and deviance. A moral panic is a condition, episode, person or group of people which emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interest; its nature is presented in a stylized and stereotypical fashion by the mass media. (Cohen, 1972, p. 9) The term moral panic was developed by Cohen in 1967 and is based on a false or exaggerated idea that some group's behaviour is deviant and is a menace to society. This concept tried to explain media, political and public response to an episode of teen gang violence in Britain. The term began with Cohen's study of Mods and Rockers and how a small altercation became a full scale riot in the eyes of the media. Distortion of the events was increased by the use of sensational headlines and dramatic reporting style, especially in the use of words
Moral panics – video nasties
MORAL PANICS ESSAY - VIDEO NASTIES The term 'moral panic' suggests a dramatic and rapid overreaction to forms of deviance or wrongdoing believed to be a direct threat to society. The most common definition of a moral panic is the opening paragraph of 'Folk Devils and Moral Panics' by Stanley Cohen: Societies appear to be subject, every now and then, to periods of moral panic. (1) A condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests; (2) its nature is presented in a stylized and stereotypical fashion by the mass media; (3) the moral barricades are manned by editors, bishops, politicians and other right-thinking people; (4) socially accredited experts pronounce their diagnoses and solutions; (5) ways of coping are evolved or (more often) resorted to; (6) the condition then disappears, submerges or deteriorates and becomes more visible. Sometimes the object of panic is quite novel and at other times it is something which has been in existence long enough, but suddenly appears in the limelight. Sometimes the panic passes over and is forgotten, except in folk lore and collective memory; at other times it has more serious and long-lasting repercussions and might produce such changes as those in legal and social policy or even in the way the society conceives itself. (Cohen, 1973) Although in Cohen's original
What is the relationship between institutions like the family, school, university … and the media? Find an example of a recent instance of Moral Panic in the media. How does the text represent youth?
JOURNAL COM3080 Week 2 What is the relationship between institutions like the family, school, university ... and the media? Find an example of a recent instance of Moral Panic in the media. How does the text represent youth? What are some of the criticisms which have been made of the Moral Panic model? There is an intricate relationship between the media and the fundamental institutions of family, school, and university. The media are often used as a means to propagate social views and norms across to these groups of consumers. The family often use media as a tool to promote interaction between family members (although it is questionable whether sitting in the same room, watching television for instance, can be classed as interaction). The family, along with school and university populations use the media as a means of communication (sharing of ideas presented through the media, eg. News) and to confirm membership to certain social groups and define social identities (eg. In the 'cool group' at school it may be expected that everyone watches 'FRIENDS', i.e. you have to watch 'FRIENDS' to be cool). The popular Australian television drama series 'The Secret Life of Us' marketed toward the 16-30 age group has caused a degree of moral panic amongst organisations which promote drug and alcohol awareness such as the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF). The text represents
Explain and Discuss Moral Panics.
Explain and Discuss Moral Panics Moral panics have been described as a condition, episode, person or group of persons which emerge to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests (Cohen, 1972, p.9). They often occur during times when society has been unable to adapt to significant change and when such change leads to a fear of a loss of control within the normal social structure. This was evident during the 1960s when society experienced such modernising trends as the so called 'sexual revolution'. When events, such as those found in the 1960's, occur there is a concern that moral standards are in decline and entire generations can sometimes be accused of undermining society's moral structure. Moral panics can occur both as novel events, or events which have been in existence within society for a long time and have suddenly become an issue of importance and concern. Many panics result in official change and have serious and long-lasting repercussions, as was the case following the panic concerning so called 'video nasties', which led to the Video Recording Act of 1984 introducing the regulation of videos via the British Board of Film Classification. The debates concerning the issue centred upon the lack of parental control in monitoring children's viewing and the dangers posed by certain programmes and films to young people (Lusted, 1991, p.14). The concern
Panic room. The salesman, smartly dressed, walked across the third floor landing to the main feature of the house, the panic room.
Panic room The deep and persuading voice of the salesman seemed to help Jade make her decision whether to buy the mansion or not. The salesman, smartly dressed, walked across the third floor landing to the main feature of the house, the panic room. "This is the panic room, designed to enable you or the victims of a robbery or unlikely house invasion of some kind, to go into and stay safe. The steel door is12 inches thick, impossible to break into with any sort of tools. The panic room has state of the art electronic surveillance of the house, a separate telephone wire so the victims can call the police even if the main house telephone wires were to be cut. Also there is a huge cooler, which has drinks and a small amount of food and for all possible safety a fire blanket." This room stunned Jade and her twelve-year-old daughter Sarah, who was unfortunately diabetic, and this room seemed to have clinched the deal. They made their way around the 4-story house once more to secure their decision and the house seemed to fulfil all their possible needs. Jade went over to the salesman and took a deep breath and said proudly, "We'll take it!" The salesman was delighted and went to fetch the paper work. By the end of the following week, Jade and Sarah were fully packed and ready to abandon their old pigsty. Regrettably it wasn't all tears of joy for Sarah. She had to leave her
Using the film text "a clockwork orange"? Examine the effects of media violence and sexual violence on the audience? With particular reference to mass hysteria and moral panic,
Using the film text "a clockwork orange"? Examine the effects of media violence and sexual violence on the audience? With particular reference to mass hysteria and moral panic, The effects of violence in the media are undoubtedly one of the most controversial topics in current media debates. There is a major media influence in our everyday lives through ideologies and set values with which we use to guide the way we perceive things and control our moral values. The influence of media is constantly scrutinised for the rare and possibly consequential copycat acts. An example of this is the James Bulger case (1994), there was an extreme mass hysteria questioning whether violence in films affected the moral judgment, not just of children but with adults as well. It was feared that there was a general decline in public civility and morality, because of this an explanation was needed It's possible that events such as the murder of James Bulger by the two boys that claimed they got the idea from Childs play, 19911, would not have occurred if such movies did not exist, but if this is so then why are other adults and children not affected? It has not occurred to the media or behaviorists that theoretically if it affects others so easily than it could potential harm themselves The effects model is known as the hypodermic needle, this is because it metaphorically "force-feeds" an
Woman's role in a horror movie- Blair Witch, Panic room
HORROR MOVIES Woman's role in a horror movie- Blair Witch, Panic room I am going to look at two films from the horror genre "The Blair witch" and "Panic room" to what extent do these challenge any of the following women's roles, conventions of the horror, ideologies before September the 11th? The Blair witch project follows many of the horror conventions despite its originality and I am going to explain what some of the main key aspects are. The location is placed in an isolated setting this creates suspense and danger of being trapped in a remote location of nowhere to go. The fact that this is filmed as a project documentary highlights the fact that they are investigating where they shouldn't and are looking for danger already setting enigma codes that something bad will happen connoted further with bad whether conditions. Often it is made obvious that something is going to happen like the rain or the moon which often connotes loneliness or isolation which often is seen as hopeless for a change and many bad things do happen such as slime appearing on backpacks, maps lost, sanity doomed, tents shake, laughter from a distance etc. So like most horror films it is fairly predictable we can even see this by the title it clearly states what the film is about it is a project to investigate the legend of the Blair witch but clearly don't succeed in their task. Many films do
Moral Panics, when morons speak up and are heard.
Moral Panics, when morons speak up and are heard. David Bainbridge Mass media can produce a number of different effects of which one of the most interesting and most powerful is the 'Moral Panic'. These can be described as "condition, episode, person or group of persons which emerge to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests"(Cohen, 1972). Often associated with the modernising liberation of the 1960's, perhaps one of the earliest examples of a societal moral panic is that of the Rock 'n' Roll concern of the 1950's though more commonly attached to the 'provocative' acts of Elvis Presley and others. 'Bill Haley and the Comets' most recognisable for the 1950's hit 'Rock around the Clock' was a major 'spark' in an event in which while performing in Berlin, the audience due to over-crowding along with the general excitement coinciding with a concert. Produced a situation that climaxed with the performance of 'Rock around the clock', the invasion of the stage and a riot in the concert hall. When news of this shockingly bizarre(?) event reached the shores of the united states, the media and 'moral' outcry of the nation forced Bill Haley's pledge never to perform the song again (later revoked). As well instigating the 'new fears' of Rock 'n' Roll music with its 'influence' increasing promiscuity and anti-social behaviour, this resulting in tighter
Panic selling shares in October 1929 Caused the Wall Street Crash
Panic selling shares in October 1929 Caused the Wall Street Crash Panic selling shares in 24th October 1929, caused The Wall Street Crash. One way of making money during the 1920s was to buy stocks and shares, prices of these stocks and share constantly went up, this meant that investors would keep them for a short time and then sells them as a profit. On Black Thursday, 24 Oct 1929 Share prices fell faster and lower than ever before or since. Wall Street is on Manhattan Island in the heart of New York City. It is a street Of tall office buildings. The most important of these buildings was the New York Stock Exchange, this was where stocks and shared of all kinds are bought and sold, some two or three million. Stocks and shares might be bought and sold while company's shares might go up a few points or cent in value. On a bad day points might go down in value two or three points. Share prices on Wall Street fell dramatically. This fall became known as the Wall Street Crash and it led to the Depression, which hit the USA in October 1929. Six of the richest banker in New York hurriedly met to discuss the crises. They agreed to spend $40,000,000 each buying shares hoping it would encourage people to buy and sell shares. When the stock exchange closed that afternoon shares had stopped falling, it seemed like the crises was over. It was possible to buy stocks and shares on
