In a deviance amplification spiral, the attempt to control deviance leads to it increasing rather than decreasing - resulting in greater attempts to control it, and in turn, yet more deviance, in an escalating spiral, as with the hippies described by Young
Folk devils and moral panics Cohen (1972) study of the mods and rockers uses rge concept of deviance amplification spiral:
- media exaggeration and distortion began a moral panic with growing public concern
- moral entrepreneurs called for a 'crackdown'. Police responded by arresting more youths, provoking more concern
- demonising the mods and rockers as 'folk devils' marginalised them further, resulting in more deviance
The work of Cohen and Young points to a key difference with functionalism:
- Functionalists see deviance producing social control
- Labelling Theorists see control producing further deviance
Comments
Report