Moral Panics

Question 1

What is the concept of a moral panic?

Answer 1

Considers the power that various forms of media have to influence the way that mass audiences think and respond to various topics

Question 2

How does it occur?

Answer 2

“A moral panic occurs when a condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests”

Question 3

Characteristics of a moral panic

Answer 3

Concern 
Hostility 
Consensus 
Disproportionality 
Volatility

Question 4

Concern?

Answer 4

There must be awareness that the behaviour of the group or category in question is likely to have a negative effect in society

Question 5

Hostility?

Answer 5

Hostility towards the group in question increases, and they become ‘folk devils’. A clear division forms between “them” and “us”

Question 6

Consensus?

Answer 6

Through concern does not have to be nationwide, there must be widespread acceptance that the group in question poses a very real threat to society. It is important at this stage that those inciting the panic are vocal and the ‘folk devils’ appear weak and disorganised

Question 7

Disproportionality?

Answer 7

The action taken is disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the accused group

Question 8

Volatility?

Answer 8

Moral panics are highly volatile and tend to disappear as quickly as they appeared firs to a wane in public interest or news reports changing to another topic