Moral Panic

Question 1

Theory Idea

Answer 1

process of arousing social concern over an issue

Question 2

Period

Answer 2

1970s

Question 3

Discipline

Answer 3

Sociology and anthropology

Question 4

Institution

Answer 4

Universities, media, policy institiution, governement

Question 5

Methodology

Answer 5

Media analysis (content analysis and observations)

Question 6

Social organizations

Answer 6

moral panic views society: society beset with fear and mediate through mass media

Question 7

Human subjectivity

Answer 7

Rational individuals but easily influenced by media discourse

Question 8

Media

Answer 8

Define deviance - what group we should like and not like

Question 9

Power

Answer 9

Storytelling according to a particular world view

Question 10

Critiques

Answer 10

Says that media creates reality

Question 11

Key concepts

Answer 11

moral enerprise, moral panic, moral entrepreneurs, moral cueaade, deviance, policy makers

Question 12

Steps in creation of moral panic

Answer 12

1. Condition episode, person, or group emerge as a threat to social values and interests
2. nature for the threat is presented in symbolic, stereotypical ways in the mass media (structured way of telling stories)
3. moral boundaries are defined by bishops, clergy, members, authorities (have monopoly on culture)
4. experts enter the debate and announce possible solutions (because they’re experts we trust them)
5. copying mechanisms emerge
6. the conditions disappear and may remerge at a later time (several issues that may come to media and societies attention all at once or separately)