COHEN (1972) (MORAL PANICS) (Audience effects theory)

- Societies appear to be subject, every now and then, to periods of moral panic.

- A condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests.

- Its nature is presented in a stylized and stereotypical fashion by the mass media.

- The effect of a moral panic is to reassert hegemony by allowing a society to make clear what values it does not accept.

- Cohen first discussed this with the regards to mods and rockers

- These days there are still moral panics with regards to youth

- For example the idea of 'chavs' and 'hoodies' may be considered a moral panic

- riots

(they are a threat)

- a person or group of persons become defined as a threat to societal values

- presented in a stylized and stereotypical fashion


Creating a threat for society and therefore a social panic that will allow attacks on that threat. A panic created by cultural hegemony in order to overcome threats on society. A way of creating fear with the aim to re-order society.