Identify and briefly explain two ways in which the media amplifies deviance.
OCR
A Level
2020
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Media Amplification of Deviance
This essay will explore two ways in which the media amplifies deviance, drawing on key sociological theories and concepts. The focus will be on the deviance amplification spiral, a process described by Wilkins, where media attention, often fueled by moral entrepreneurs, leads to increased deviance.
1. The Deviance Amplification Spiral
The deviance amplification spiral, coined by Wilkins, suggests that media coverage can exacerbate deviance. This process involves several stages:
- Initial Deviance: Minor acts of deviance occur but remain relatively unnoticed.
- Media Attention: The media, driven by news values like novelty and drama, reports on the incident, often exaggerating its significance.
- Moral Entrepreneurs: Individuals or groups, often with vested interests, use the media platform to condemn the deviance and call for stricter measures.
- Increased Deviance: Public fear and anxiety grow, leading to increased police presence and stricter law enforcement. This, in turn, pushes the deviance underground, making it harder to control and potentially increasing its scale.
- Self-fulfilling Prophecy: The media's portrayal of deviants as a threat fosters a climate of fear and suspicion, leading to more instances of the behavior.
2. Targeting of Specific Groups
Cohen's work on "folk devils" exemplifies how the media can target certain groups, amplifying their deviance. This occurs when the media focuses on a particular group, often marginalized or perceived as deviant, and presents them as a threat to societal order.
- Moral Panics: Cohen argues that media coverage can create moral panics, where public anxiety about a perceived threat is magnified and amplified.
- Labeling: The media often labels these groups as "folk devils," reinforcing negative stereotypes and contributing to their marginalization.
- Self-fulfilling Prophecy: The media's portrayal of the group can lead to increased police scrutiny and social exclusion, pushing them further into deviant behavior.
Conclusion
The media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of deviance. Through the deviance amplification spiral and targeting of specific groups, the media can exacerbate deviance, contributing to a cycle of fear, social control, and further deviance. This highlights the need for responsible media practices and a critical understanding of the social construction of deviance.
Media Amplification of Deviance
The media plays a significant role in shaping societal perceptions of deviance, often amplifying it through various mechanisms. This essay will explore two key ways in which the media contributes to this amplification: the creation of folk devils and the application of news values.
Creation of Folk Devils
Stanley Cohen, in his study of mods and rockers, coined the term "folk devils" to describe groups that are demonised and stereotyped by the media. This targeting often starts with the identification of a perceived social problem, which is then exaggerated and sensationalised in news reports and other media content.
For example, media coverage might focus on isolated incidents of youth violence, portraying them as representative of a wider trend and exaggerating their severity. This creates a climate of fear and anxiety, leading to increased public pressure for action against the demonised group. This, in turn, can lead to further marginalisation and stigmatisation of the targeted group, potentially pushing them further towards deviant behaviour in a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Application of News Values
News values are criteria used by journalists to determine the newsworthiness of an event. These values often prioritize sensationalism, negativity, and proximity. As a result, deviant acts, particularly those deemed extraordinary or shocking, are more likely to be reported than everyday occurrences.
Wilkins' concept of the "deviance amplification spiral" highlights how this selective reporting can exacerbate deviance. The media's focus on certain types of behaviour can normalise and even glamorize them, particularly for impressionable audiences. This can lead to copycat crimes, where individuals imitate the sensationalised acts they see reported. Furthermore, the amplification of deviance can create a climate of moral panic, where public concern outweighs the actual threat posed. This can lead to disproportionate responses from law enforcement and policymakers, further marginalising the targeted group and potentially escalating the problem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the media plays a powerful role in amplifying deviance through the creation of folk devils and the selective application of news values. By exaggerating and sensationalising certain types of behaviour, the media can create a climate of fear and intolerance, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy where deviance is perpetuated and amplified. This underscores the importance of critical media literacy and a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between media representation and social control.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Deviance Amplification Spiral
Reference may be made to the deviance amplification spiral – (Wilkins).
Key Concepts
- Interactionism
- Targeting of certain groups (folk devils) – Cohen
- Application of news values / exaggeration
- Moral entrepreneurs – calls for a stamp down
- Creation of a self-fulfilling prophecy
- Copycat crimes once reported in the media