Description: Moral Panics, Moral Entrepreneurs and the Culture of Fear
This week you will complete an assignment that applies your knowledge to the material presented last week on moral panics, moral entrepreneurs and the culture of fear.
Below you will find the questions and content needed to complete the assignment.
Prepare for this Assignment
For this assignment, you will be turning in a formal written analysis of one example of a moral panic or culture of fear drawn from the course materials or selected on your own. To get ready, do the following:
Review Deviance, Crime and Social Control reading and online materials (Week 11)
Listen to one “Fear Not” Podcast (about 20-25 minutes; see below for details)
- Determine whether you will draw on an example presented last week (e.g., school shootings) to the questions OR whether you will select your own example. If you want to select your own example or draw on a Fear Not example, review it with your TA or instructor to make sure it is appropriate. If you select your own example, you will need to gather additional materials (e.g., media reports, stats) to support your responses.
Below you will find two sources where you can listen to the Fear Not podcast. Select and listen to one of the episodes. While you will not necessarily focus on the example presented in the podcast, it will help you frame your responses and extend your understanding.
- Fear Not Podcast on Spotify
- Assignment Details
In your assignment, you will need to include all four of the following elements (see the next section for the assignment structure): - Apply Cohen’s characteristics* to your example. Illustrate each characteristic, using materials provided (e.g., Week 11 PPT and reading, podcast). You may select an example presented in class (e.g., school shootings) or select another (e.g., Fear Not example). If you are unsure about your example, email your TA or instructor to make sure it is appropriate.
*All four of Cohen’s characteristics may not fully apply (e.g., you are unable to detect a rise and fall of attention). You should still address this in your response (e.g., note that the example you selected is ongoing and time will tell whether interest wanes). See below for the list of Cohen’s characteristics.
- Does your example illustrate Glassner’s “culture of fear” thesis? How or how not? What role do moral entrepreneurs play? Provide examples, using materials provided (e.g., Week 11 PPT and reading, podcast)
Apply one sociological perspective (e.g., structural functionalism) OR concept (e.g., social control) to your example. Apply it to your example and demonstrate how it is a suitable illustration of this perspective or concept. [Tip: Before applying your example, define and/or explain the perspective or concept in your own words].
- Discuss one methodological issue (e.g., correlation versus causation; cognitive bias, misleading graphs, an ethical issue) presented throughout the course. Apply it to your example and demonstrate how it is a suitable illustration of this methodological issue.
[Tip: Before applying your example, define and/or explain the methodological issue in your own words.Cohen’s CharacteristicsExplanationFolk devilTransforming specific individuals or groups into “folk devils” by the media based on real or imagined behaviours or characteristics. These behaviours or characteristics are exaggerated, distorted, or even fabricated. Today, social media can play a significant role in the construction of folk devils.Threat/Danger GapA large gap between the perceived threat and actual threat or danger that individuals or groups pose to society.FocusAfter a threat is discovered, it is followed by the rapid rise in public concern, and often followed by (an often abrupt) decline.ResponseThe perceived threat or danger can sometimes result in new laws or policies that are not only unnecessary but often punitive. However, they can serve to promote people in positions of power (e.g., politicians, community activists).