Cohens moral panic

Cohen’s Moral panic

A threat emerges to societies values which is presented in a stylised and stereotypical fashion people with social power stir up moral panic such as editors, bishops, politicians and suggest a cause of action, they also try and create a ‘folk devils’ to be the scapegoats

Concern - There must be awareness that the behaviour of the group or category in question is likely to have a negative impact on society.

Hostility - Hostility towards the group in question increases, and they become "folk devils". A clear division forms between "them" and "us".

Consensus - Though 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 the "moral entrepreneurs" are vocal and the "folk devils" appear weak and disorganised.

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

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