Define and briefly explain the concept ‘deviance amplification.’
OCR
A Level
2018
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Deviance Amplification: The Media's Role in Constructing Deviance
This essay will explore the concept of deviance amplification, a theory that analyzes the media's role in exaggerating and amplifying deviant behavior within society. It will examine how media representations can contribute to the escalation of deviance, focusing on key concepts such as folk devils, news values, moral panics, and the 'spiral' of deviance amplification. Additionally, the essay will draw upon interactionist/labelling theory and Marxist perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex phenomenon.
Defining Deviance Amplification
Deviance amplification refers to the process by which media coverage and public attention can inadvertently amplify and exacerbate deviance in society. This theory, often attributed to Wilkins, argues that the media's focus on specific groups or behaviors can lead to an exaggeration of their prevalence and a perception of them as a greater threat than they actually are. This amplification, in turn, can contribute to increased social control measures and even further deviance.
Key Concepts in Deviance Amplification
Several key concepts underpin the theory of deviance amplification, including:
Folk Devils
The media often portrays particular groups as "folk devils" – scapegoats who are seen as the source of social problems and anxieties. These groups, which can include youth subcultures, ethnic minorities, or marginalized communities, are presented in a negative and stereotyped manner, contributing to their demonization and social exclusion.
Application of News Values
The media's selection and portrayal of news stories are influenced by "news values," such as drama, novelty, and conflict. These values can lead to the overrepresentation of deviant acts and the sensationalization of events, contributing to the amplification of deviance.
Stirring up Public Indignation
The media can play a role in stirring up public indignation and fear by focusing on specific deviance and portraying it as a widespread threat. This can lead to demands for increased social control measures and a climate of distrust and prejudice.
Identification of a Subversive Minority
Deviance amplification often involves the identification of a "subversive minority" – a small group seen as responsible for larger social problems. This can lead to the demonization of the group and the marginalization of its members.
Moral Panics
Moral panics, characterized by widespread public fear and anxiety about a perceived threat, often arise from and are fueled by media amplification. The media's role in amplifying the perceived threat can contribute to the escalation of social control measures and the erosion of individual rights.
Examples of Deviance Amplification
Several examples illustrate the phenomenon of deviance amplification. These include:
Mods and Rockers (Cohen)
Stanley Cohen's study of the "mods and rockers" in the 1960s demonstrates how media coverage can amplify social conflicts and contribute to the creation of moral panics. The media's portrayal of these youth subcultures as deviant and threatening led to increased social control measures and a climate of fear and prejudice.
Hoodies (Fawbert)
More recently, the "hoodie" phenomenon has exemplified how the media can amplify anxieties around specific clothing styles and associate them with deviance. Media representations of hoodies as symbols of criminality and threat have contributed to social anxieties and increased surveillance of young people.
Young's Stages of Deviance Amplification
Sociologist Jock Young has proposed a framework for understanding the stages of deviance amplification. He suggests that the process unfolds in three key stages:
Translation of Fantasy
This stage involves the media's transformation of existing anxieties and fears into a narrative about a specific group or behavior. This narrative often exaggerates the threat and presents the group as a deviant force.
Negotiation of Reality
As the media's portrayal gains traction, it begins to influence public perceptions and social responses. This stage involves the negotiation of reality, where the media's version of events becomes increasingly accepted as truth.
Amplification or the Deviance Amplification 'Spiral'
In the final stage, the amplified attention and social control measures aimed at reducing deviance ironically lead to further deviance. This creates a self-perpetuating "spiral" of deviance amplification, where increased social control and media attention contribute to the very behavior they seek to control.
Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance Amplification
Several theoretical perspectives provide insights into deviance amplification:
Interactionist/Labelling Theory
Labelling theory emphasizes the role of social labels in shaping individual behavior. The media's labeling of certain groups or behaviors as deviant can contribute to the self-fulfilling prophecy, where individuals internalize the label and live up to it.
Marxism (Neo-Marxism)
Marxist perspectives suggest that deviance amplification serves the interests of the ruling class by diverting attention from systemic inequalities and promoting social control. The media's focus on certain deviant behaviors can be seen as a way to maintain the status quo and control the working class.
Conclusion
Deviance amplification is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that highlights the significant role the media plays in shaping perceptions of deviance and influencing social responses. By understanding the key concepts, examples, and theoretical perspectives associated with this theory, we can gain a critical understanding of how the media can contribute to the construction and amplification of deviance in society.
Deviance Amplification
Deviance amplification is a sociological concept that describes the process by which the media and other social control agents, such as law enforcement and politicians, can exacerbate deviant behavior. This occurs when these agents focus attention on a particular issue or group, creating a sense of public alarm and prompting a crackdown that ultimately leads to more deviance rather than less.
The Role of the Media
Central to this theory is the role of the media. In his work on social deviance, Stanley Cohen argued that the media often amplifies deviance by sensationalizing events and creating folk devils – stereotyped individuals or groups who are portrayed as threats to social order. This process relies heavily on the application of news values, which prioritize stories that are unusual, dramatic, and likely to generate public interest. This can lead to a distorted view of the scale and nature of a particular issue.
For instance, Cohen’s study of the Mods and Rockers, two youth subcultures in 1960s Britain, demonstrated how media exaggeration of minor scuffles between the groups led to a spiral of public concern. This stirred up public indignation, creating a climate of fear and prompting police crackdowns which further fueled the perception of these groups as dangerous and deviant. The media, seeking to maintain public interest, amplified the situation further, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The Deviance Amplification Spiral
This process can be understood through the concept of a deviance amplification spiral. Young identified several stages in this spiral:
- Translation of fantasy: The media often portray events in a simplified and dramatic way, drawing on existing stereotypes and anxieties, thus creating a distorted picture of reality.
- Negotiation of reality: Social actors, including politicians and law enforcement, respond to the media's portrayal, often implementing stricter policies and control measures. This can further marginalize the targeted group, pushing them further towards deviance.
- Amplification: The media then reports on these intensified responses, reinforcing the initial perception of the problem and legitimizing the increased control measures. This creates a feedback loop, where each stage fuels the next.
Theoretical Perspectives
Deviance amplification can be analyzed through various sociological lenses. Interactionist theorists, particularly those focusing on labelling theory, argue that the process of being publicly labeled as deviant can lead individuals to internalize that label and act accordingly. This is particularly relevant to how the media labels and portrays deviant groups, potentially reinforcing their deviant behavior.
Neo-Marxist perspectives connect deviance amplification to power structures. They argue that the media, often controlled by powerful groups, serves to demonize and marginalize already disadvantaged groups, diverting attention from wider societal issues such as inequality. Fawbert’s analysis of the media’s portrayal of “hoodies” is a prime example. By portraying young people wearing hoodies as a threat, the media reinforces societal anxieties and justifies increased surveillance and control, ultimately benefiting those in power.
Conclusion
Deviance amplification is a complex process with significant social consequences. By understanding how the media, social control agents, and public perception interact, we can better comprehend the social construction of deviance and its role in exacerbating social problems. It is crucial to approach media portrayals with a critical eye, recognizing the potential for exaggeration, bias, and the amplification of deviance itself.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Deviance Amplification
Deviance amplification is a theory which seeks to understand the role of the media in strengthening and magnifying deviance in society. Reference may be made to Wilkins.
Key Concepts
- Folk devils
- Application of News values
- Stirring up public indignation
- Identification of subversive minority
- Moral Panics
Examples of Deviance Amplification
Candidates may illustrate their answers with examples of deviance amplification, such as the mods and rockers (Cohen) or Hoodies (Fawbert).
Young's Stages of Deviance Amplification
- Translation of fantasy
- Negotiation of reality
- Amplification or the idea of a deviance amplification 'spiral'
Theoretical Frameworks
Candidates may refer to interactionist / labelling theory and/or Marxism (neo-Marxist).