Describe in your own words how the deviancy amplification spiral operates to produce a moral panic. Illustrate with two examples.

A deviancy amplification spiral occurs when a moral panic i.e. an overreaction to forms of defiance or wrong doing believed to be a threat to society, is stereotyped in a negative manner by the media who exaggerate the facts so that it makes a good story. As a result of this there is a rapid build up of public concern which forces authorities or opinion makers to respond to the threat, resulting in either …

…two examples prove that despite the fact that some issues could be defined as a moral panic the media have from as far back as the 1960's to the present day become almost obsessed about youth culture and any other issue that could be seen to be a threat to society. The media 'identify an issue, defining it as a problem and present it in a particular way, necessitating particular responses (Mooney et al., 2004 p.28).