Moral panics have several distinct features. According to Goode and Ben-Yehuda, moral panic consists of the following characteristics:
- Concern – There must be awareness that the behavior of the group or category in question is likely to have a negative effect 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 disorganized.
- 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.
Explain how the following might have revealed the idea of moral panic:
- Responses to the integration of schools in the United States
- The effect of video games on children
- The effect of rock and roll music on American's in the 1950s
Activity: Create Your Own Moral Panic: Create a group or an activity that causes people to fear that society as we know it is under attack. Be sure to refer to all of the features of moral panic as you describe the cause of your panic and the effect it has on America.