Moral Panic

Moral Panic. 'A condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges as a threat to societal values and interests: its nature is presented in a stylised and stereotypical fashion by the mass media: The moral barricades are manned by editors, bishops, politicians and other right thinking people; socially accredited experts pronounce their diagnosis and solutions; ways of coping are evolved or (more often) resorted to.'

Features of Moral Panic

Concern - Behaviour of a particular group represented as having threat.

Votality -  Short-lived. Panics erupt dramatically but are difficult to sustain. Results in negative consequences for the rest of us.

Hositility - 'Folk Devils' constructed to create a clear division between 'them' and 'us'.

Consequences - Widespread acceptance of the threat posed by this group. Not necessarily reflecting national concern, but the campaigner will be very vocal whilst the opposition will be weak and disorganised.

Disproportionality - Wild exaggeration of evidence. Not only the number of people involved but also the scale of the problem.