Criminology AC 1.5
Explain the negative effect that the media has on crime - correct answer-Things of a more
negative nature (e.g. unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions; harmful/traumatic
events) have a greater impact on one's psychological state and processes than neutral or
positive things. Having a pessimistic outlook on situations, ideas and life in general. We are
2-4 times more likely to focus on the negative aspects of life rather than the positive.
What were the positives of the coronavirus news? - correct answer-Communities coming
together, Captain Tom gave people hope, reminded people to appreciate their
family/education/employment/being able to go out, people made more of an effort to check
on their loved ones, people could spend more time with the people in their household
What were the negatives of the coronavirus news? - correct answer-People's mental health
was damaged, people lost their jobs, the media scared people into not leaving their homes,
people lost their family members/friends, a divide was created between the government and
the people, no 'positive' statistics were shown, people living alone were isolated + lonely
What is moral panic? - correct answer-When the media exaggerate levels of serious crime
and the risk of becoming a victim. With the pressure created by the media and the moral
panic, society is forced to change.
Give an example of moral panic - correct answer-Jamie Bulger - the media portrayed that
society would face a generation of 10 year old who were capable of killing small children.
Cohen (1972) Mods + Rockers - 2 groups of young people who used what they wore in a
way to identify themselves. Physical conflicts broke out between the 2 groups in May 1964.
Cohen argued that when the media reports on deviant behaviour they construct a narrative
which features a clear villain. The reaction meant that the police responded to future conflict
more forcefully and thus created further conflicts. The people involved had read stories about
themselves in the media and started to play the parts that were written for them.
Coronavirus. The risk of contracting HIV in the 1980s. Reporting of terrorism and the rise in
Islamaphobia
Who are people that strive to change behaviour called? - correct answer-Moral
entrepreneurs
What are the positive effects of moral panic? - correct answer-It can cause a quick response
to a situation and it can bring people together
What are the negative effects of moral panic? - correct answer-Stereotypes and prejudices
against groups of people are created. Law enforcement may become harsher - as seen with
the mods and rockers case. It creates a frenzy of fear within society and it gives a distorted
view on fact
What is deviancy amplification? - correct answer-It suggests that a small initial deviation may
escalate through processes of stereotyping and over exaggeration. A small group commits
Explain the negative effect that the media has on crime - correct answer-Things of a more
negative nature (e.g. unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions; harmful/traumatic
events) have a greater impact on one's psychological state and processes than neutral or
positive things. Having a pessimistic outlook on situations, ideas and life in general. We are
2-4 times more likely to focus on the negative aspects of life rather than the positive.
What were the positives of the coronavirus news? - correct answer-Communities coming
together, Captain Tom gave people hope, reminded people to appreciate their
family/education/employment/being able to go out, people made more of an effort to check
on their loved ones, people could spend more time with the people in their household
What were the negatives of the coronavirus news? - correct answer-People's mental health
was damaged, people lost their jobs, the media scared people into not leaving their homes,
people lost their family members/friends, a divide was created between the government and
the people, no 'positive' statistics were shown, people living alone were isolated + lonely
What is moral panic? - correct answer-When the media exaggerate levels of serious crime
and the risk of becoming a victim. With the pressure created by the media and the moral
panic, society is forced to change.
Give an example of moral panic - correct answer-Jamie Bulger - the media portrayed that
society would face a generation of 10 year old who were capable of killing small children.
Cohen (1972) Mods + Rockers - 2 groups of young people who used what they wore in a
way to identify themselves. Physical conflicts broke out between the 2 groups in May 1964.
Cohen argued that when the media reports on deviant behaviour they construct a narrative
which features a clear villain. The reaction meant that the police responded to future conflict
more forcefully and thus created further conflicts. The people involved had read stories about
themselves in the media and started to play the parts that were written for them.
Coronavirus. The risk of contracting HIV in the 1980s. Reporting of terrorism and the rise in
Islamaphobia
Who are people that strive to change behaviour called? - correct answer-Moral
entrepreneurs
What are the positive effects of moral panic? - correct answer-It can cause a quick response
to a situation and it can bring people together
What are the negative effects of moral panic? - correct answer-Stereotypes and prejudices
against groups of people are created. Law enforcement may become harsher - as seen with
the mods and rockers case. It creates a frenzy of fear within society and it gives a distorted
view on fact
What is deviancy amplification? - correct answer-It suggests that a small initial deviation may
escalate through processes of stereotyping and over exaggeration. A small group commits
