Video | Stanley Cohen’s “Mods, Rockers, and Moral Panics” (1972)

This short documentary illustrates key elements of Labeling Theory through the lens of Stan Cohen’s classic study of Mods and Rockers. It shows how sensationalized media coverage in 1960s Britain helped construct a “moral panic” around these youth subcultures. The groups were labeled as “folk devils,” and society responded with disproportionate attention and punishment, exaggerating their deviance. The video helps students understand key concepts like “folk devils,” “moral panic,” and the self-fulfilling prophecy, making it ideal for class discussion or a brief analysis activity.