Moral Panic Overview and Key Theorists

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?

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

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'players in the panic'?

Moral entrepreneurs Signup and view all the answers

What is an elite engineering model?

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

Positive panic refers to a negative reaction to societal behavior.

False 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?

Complex problems can become simplified Signup and view all the answers

What criticism is associated with the term 'panic'?

It has connotations of irrationality and lack of control. 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.

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.