Unit 1 AC1.5 full marks that I used in my controlled assessment and I received an A*. This writeup was marked by my 2 criminology teachers who are also Criminology Examiners.
AC1.5 Writeup Explain the Impact of Media Representations on the Public Perception of Crime
Moral Panic
Research shows that the media exaggerate levels of serious crime and the risk of becoming a victim,
this is also known as ‘Moral Panic’. Stanley Cohen wrote in his book Folk Devils and Moral Panics
stated that a moral panic occurs when a ‘condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to
become defined as a threat to societal values and interests’. One of the first moral panics was in the
1960s around the Mods and Rockers.
The mods and rockers were two youth subcultures that developed in the United Kingdom in the
early 1960s. The mods were known for their stylish dress, love of music (particularly rhythm and
blues and soul), and interest in fashion and modern culture. They were often associated with
scooters and the drug amphetamine. The rockers, on the other hand, were associated with a rough,
rebellious image and were often fans of rock and roll music. They were known for their leather
jackets, motorcycles, and a working-class, tough-guy persona. The two groups often came into
conflict with each other, and their rivalry was the subject of much media attention at the time.
The media played a significant role in creating the moral panic around the Mods and Rockers in the
United Kingdom during the mid-1960s. Media coverage of the clashes between the two groups was
often sensationalized and portrayed the Mods and Rockers as violent, delinquent youths who were a
threat to society. This portrayal was often at odds with the reality of the situation, and many of the
incidents that were reported were blown out of proportion or simply not true. The media also
played up the differences between the two groups and depicted them as being in a state of
perpetual conflict. This helped to create a sense of fear and outrage among the public and fuelled
the moral panic.
In addition to sensationalizing the incidents involving Mods and Rockers, the media also played a
role in shaping public perceptions and attitudes towards the two groups. By portraying them in a
negative light, the media helped to create a stigma around the Mods and Rockers and contributed to
the social marginalization of these youth subcultures.
Leslie Wilkins argued that the media portrayal of crime can sometimes lead to the ‘deviance
amplification spiral’ where attempts to control deviance produce more deviance.
Other examples of moral panic range from the risk of contracting HIV in the 1980s to the modern
moral panic surrounding the reporting of terrorism and the subsequent result of Islamophobia.
The impact of a moral panic is to make the public think the issue is worse than it is in reality. This
may bring about a more severe reaction to the issue and people involved, and an unreasonable
desire for justice. For instance, the increase in punishments for crimes that occurred in the London
riots of 2011.
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