Moral Panic Overview and Key Theorists
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Questions and Answers

What is a moral panic?

A feeling of fear spread among a large number of people that some evil threatens the well-being of society.

Which of the following are examples of moral panic? (Select all that apply)

  • 1980s Satanic ritual abuse (correct)
  • World War II
  • 2014 Ebola virus (correct)
  • Cyberbullying

    • Who coined the term 'Mods and Rockers'?

    Stanley Cohen

    What are folk devils?

    <p>Persons or groups portrayed by the media as outsiders and deviant, blamed for societal problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their definitions:

    <p>Concerns = Legitimate or sincere concern about a perceived social issue Hostility = The concern identifies an 'other' that represents a threat Consensus = A substantial segment of society feels that the threat is real Disproportionality = Term applied when the response is disproportionate to the issue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'players in the panic'?

    <p>Moral entrepreneurs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an elite engineering model?

    <p>A model where a small powerful group engineers a circumstance to create fear and panic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Positive panic refers to a negative reaction to societal behavior.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe Cohen's 5 stages of moral panic.

    <ol> <li>Something is defined as a threat. 2. The threat is depicted in the media. 3. Rapid build-up of public concern. 4. Response from authorities. 5. Panic recedes or results in social change.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be a consequence of moral panic?

    <p>Complex problems can become simplified</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism is associated with the term 'panic'?

    <p>It has connotations of irrationality and lack of control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Moral Panic Overview

    • Moral panic refers to widespread fear that an evil threatens societal well-being, often fueled by media interactions.
    • Examples include historical events like the 1980s satanic ritual abuse and the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak.

    Folk Devils

    • Defined as individuals or groups labeled by the media as deviant, blamed for societal issues.
    • These figures often fade from memory but can sometimes inspire significant societal changes, such as new laws or policies.

    Key Theorists

    • Stanley Cohen introduced the terms "Mods" and "Rockers," highlighting media exaggeration of behavior that challenges social norms.
    • Goode and Ben-Yahuda argue that moral panics are socially constructed and can inflict real harm while requiring a shared sense of threat among a group.

    Elements of Moral Panic

    • Concern: A sincere worry about a perceived social issue.
    • Hostility: Identification of an "other" perceived as a threat, instigating fear.
    • Consensus: A significant portion of society recognizes the threat as serious and caused by malicious entities.
    • Disproportionality: The response to the perceived threat exceeds the actual issue, often leading to societal debates.

    Key Players in Moral Panic

    • Moral Entrepreneurs: Individuals or groups promoting the panic, including self-proclaimed "experts," media outlets, and political forces.
    • Positive Panic: Leaders who label behaviors (either positively or negatively) and spread those labels widely across society.

    Models of Moral Panic

    • Grassroots Model: Panic originates from public anxiety, escalating during crises perceived as threats to safety.
    • Elite Engineering Model: A powerful few manipulate circumstances to induce fear, diverting attention from more pressing issues.
    • Interest Group Theory: Focused on moral crusaders aiming to enforce societal rules and norms based on specific interests.

    Cohen's Stages of Moral Panic

    • Identification of a threat to societal values.
    • Media portrayal of this threat in recognizable forms.
    • Rapid public concern builds around the issue.
    • Responses from authorities or influential figures occur.
    • The panic subsides or leads to tangible social changes.

    Consequences and Criticism

    • Innocent individuals may suffer injustices, and regulatory responses can become extreme relative to the actual threat level.
    • Moral panics can oversimplify complex societal issues and distract from more significant problems.
    • Criticism arises from the term "panic," suggesting irrationality, as well as the challenge of defining what constitutes a proportional response.

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    Description

    Explore the concept of moral panic, a phenomenon involving widespread fear of perceived threats to society. This quiz covers historical examples, key theorists like Stanley Cohen and Goode & Ben-Yahuda, and the elements that characterize moral panics, such as concern, hostility, and consensus.

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