Moral Panics Essay - Theories...

Authors Avatar

Moral Panics Essay

Theories…

People have invented many different theories as to why and how the media can affect people.

  1. ‘The Hypodermic Model’

The Hypodermic model suggests that the messages from the media go directly into the minds of viewers, because they present information in such a powerful way that people immediately take it in and believe.

For example ‘The John Leslie scandal’. People reading this story, especially in a tabloid would instantly think that he did rape Ulrika Johnson, even though she had never said so herself and the reader has no evidence.  

  1. ‘The Cultivation Theory’

The cultivation theory suggests that the media create stereotypes of places and people.  It expresses the more that people watch; the more they are likely to develop certain views, possibly negative views about the world, which are untrue.

An example of this is that films such as Die-hard and many other crime films are set in New York. This would deceive people into thinking that New York is a place where there is lots of crime and violence, which is not true.

  1. Desensitisation

Desensitisation suggests that views on whether or not something is violent, are affected by the measure of violence they are exposed to by the Media, mostly on Television.

  1. The Modelling/Copycat Theory

This theory suggests that children pick up violent behaviour from programmes such as ‘The Power Rangers’. They may watch the programme and re-create the fight scenes. Which could result in injuries or the children’s conception to violence being substituted, to thinking that violence is a normal thing and it is acceptable?

Join now!

  1. ‘The Effects For Good Theory’

The BBC believes that the media can affect people for the better. For example the relationship between Mo and Trevor on East Enders, uncovered what many people found to be distressing scenes of Domestic Violence. The BBC says that people involved in Domestic Violence may have benefited from viewing this. The victim may have obtained strength and the abuser may have seen how he/she behaved and changed for the better. It also uncovered the eyes of many people who live perfect lives to the world around them.

...

This is a preview of the whole essay