"Mean World" Syndrome>Cultivation theory
The "Mean World" Syndrome is one of the main effects of the Cultivation Theory. This occurs when heavy viewers see the world as a much nastier place than do light viewers. This, theorists attribute to the fact that television depicts the world as a mean and violent place and therefore, heavy viewers are overly frightened and too cautious of the real world (Phillips). Gerbner believes this may have something to do with America's policy on capital punishment (Stossel).
"The Double Dose Effect"
-Proponents of the Cultivation Theory attempt to show how television cultivates a homogenous outlook on life, revealing a lack of diversity among heavy viewers. The idea is that heavy viewing, regardless of viewer demographic, creates an assumption in the viewer, that violence is more prevalent than it actually is. Gerbner and other theorists would argue that heavy viewers of violent television come to the assumption that violence is higher in the everyday world, and that one's exposure to this constant imagery blends with their everyday experiences reguardless of viewer demographic. This we refer to as the mainstreaming mechanism (Kenny).
-Another twist at the theory occurs when the viewers' everyday experiences parallel and are consistent with theose they view on television. Here, the cultivation effect is accelerated when viewers amplify their real-life experience by what the view on television. Theorists would argue that the crime "resonates" with them and that they are susceptible to a "double dose" effect where cultivation increases (Pierce). Thus, from this type of symbolic portrayal occuring on television, viewers tend to replay real-experiences over in their minds . In turn, real-life incidents will be reinforced by their viewing experience.
Showing posts with label Moral panics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moral panics. Show all posts
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Moral panic
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A moral panic is a reaction by a group of people based on the false or exaggerated perception that some cultural behavior or group, frequently a minority group or a subculture, is dangerously deviant and poses a menace to society. It has also been more broadly defined as an "episode, condition, person or group of persons" that has in recent times been "defined as a threat to societal values and interests." [1] They are byproducts of controversies that produce arguments and social tension, or aren't easily discussed as some of these moral panics are taboo to many people.
These panics are generally fueled by media coverage of social issues, although semi-spontaneous moral panics do occur. Mass hysteria can be an element in these movements, but moral panic is different from mass hysteria in that a moral panic is specifically framed in terms of morality and is usually expressed as outrage rather than unadulterated fear. Moral panics (as defined by Stanley Cohen) revolve around a perceived threat to a value or norm held by a society normally stimulated by glorification within the mass media or 'folk legend' within societies. Panics have a number of outcomes, the most poignant being the certification to the players within the panic that what they are doing appears to warrant observation by mass media and therefore may push them further into the activities that lead to the original feeling of moral panic.
The influences and behaviors of young people are common themes in many moral panics
Commonly cited examples of moral panics inspired by real or imagined phenomena include:
Bestiality, in Washington USA, in the wake of the 2005 Kenneth Pinyan affair, and in Missouri in the wake of the Jerry Springer Show episode 'I married a horse'.
Communism - see McCarthyism in the 1950s.
Pedophilia, Child sexual abuse - fear of "molesters" makes for sensational news - an ongoing tabloid newspaper campaign in the UK resulted in the (incorrectly) reported assault and persecution of a paediatrician by an angry mob (which had confused the two words) in August 2000 , and in 2005 a man in Manchester, England was killed by knife after being mistakenly accused of child molestation by an insane man in the neighborhood.
Social networking sites, such as MySpace - fear of predators stalking teens.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
A moral panic is a reaction by a group of people based on the false or exaggerated perception that some cultural behavior or group, frequently a minority group or a subculture, is dangerously deviant and poses a menace to society. It has also been more broadly defined as an "episode, condition, person or group of persons" that has in recent times been "defined as a threat to societal values and interests." [1] They are byproducts of controversies that produce arguments and social tension, or aren't easily discussed as some of these moral panics are taboo to many people.
These panics are generally fueled by media coverage of social issues, although semi-spontaneous moral panics do occur. Mass hysteria can be an element in these movements, but moral panic is different from mass hysteria in that a moral panic is specifically framed in terms of morality and is usually expressed as outrage rather than unadulterated fear. Moral panics (as defined by Stanley Cohen) revolve around a perceived threat to a value or norm held by a society normally stimulated by glorification within the mass media or 'folk legend' within societies. Panics have a number of outcomes, the most poignant being the certification to the players within the panic that what they are doing appears to warrant observation by mass media and therefore may push them further into the activities that lead to the original feeling of moral panic.
The influences and behaviors of young people are common themes in many moral panics
Commonly cited examples of moral panics inspired by real or imagined phenomena include:
Bestiality, in Washington USA, in the wake of the 2005 Kenneth Pinyan affair, and in Missouri in the wake of the Jerry Springer Show episode 'I married a horse'.
Communism - see McCarthyism in the 1950s.
Pedophilia, Child sexual abuse - fear of "molesters" makes for sensational news - an ongoing tabloid newspaper campaign in the UK resulted in the (incorrectly) reported assault and persecution of a paediatrician by an angry mob (which had confused the two words) in August 2000 , and in 2005 a man in Manchester, England was killed by knife after being mistakenly accused of child molestation by an insane man in the neighborhood.
Social networking sites, such as MySpace - fear of predators stalking teens.
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