Moral panic

Definition

Moral panic is a social phenomenon where public anxiety and exaggerated fear arise over an issue that is perceived as a threat to societal norms and values. This often occurs in response to the emergence or visibility of new religious movements, which can be seen as challenging traditional beliefs and practices, leading to heightened scrutiny and negative perceptions from the broader society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral panic often involves media amplification, where sensational reporting can fuel public fear and misconceptions about new religious movements.
2. Historical examples include the backlash against cults in the 1970s and 1980s, where groups like the People's Temple were demonized following tragic events.
3. Political entities may exploit moral panic for their own agendas, using fear of new religious movements to rally support or justify legislation.
4. The cycle of moral panic includes stages: concern, hostility, widespread consensus on the threat, and then a decline as the panic subsides.
5. New religious movements often find themselves labeled as dangerous or deviant during moral panics, leading to social stigmatization and potential legal challenges.

Review Questions

• How does moral panic manifest in society when new religious movements gain visibility?
  • When new religious movements emerge, moral panic can manifest through increased public anxiety about their beliefs and practices. This often leads to negative media portrayals that exaggerate potential threats posed by these groups. As a result, communities may rally together against perceived dangers, leading to widespread concern and sometimes even hostile actions towards members of these movements.
• Discuss the role of media in shaping public perception during instances of moral panic related to new religious movements.
  • Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception during moral panic by highlighting sensational stories and focusing on extreme cases associated with new religious movements. This can create a narrative that portrays these groups as threatening or deviant, influencing public opinion and escalating fears. As more people consume this skewed information, it reinforces stereotypes and deepens societal divisions against these movements.
• Evaluate the implications of moral panic on the legal status and social acceptance of new religious movements in contemporary society.
  • Moral panic can have serious implications for the legal status and social acceptance of new religious movements. Often fueled by public fear and political pressure, laws may be enacted that restrict the rights of these groups or subject them to increased surveillance. Additionally, social stigma can lead to isolation and discrimination against followers of these movements, limiting their ability to practice their beliefs freely and participate fully in society.

Related terms

New Religious Movements: Religious groups that have recently appeared and diverge from mainstream religious traditions, often facing skepticism or opposition.

Scapegoating: The practice of blaming a person or group for problems or negative situations, often targeting minority groups during moral panics.

Social Control:

Mechanisms, strategies, and institutions used by society to regulate individual behavior and maintain social order, often heightened during moral panics.