Folk Devils and Moral Panics is a study book by Stanley Cohen on social reactions to groups that are seen as a threat. This work analyzes the role of the media and politics in creating so-called moral panics. Cohen shows how this panic leads to the marginalization and stigmatization of folk devils, hindering rational discussions about underlying social problems.
The book is indispensable for anyone who wants to gain insight into the dynamics of moral panic and the power relationships in society that underpin it. Stanley Cohen, emeritus professor of sociology at the London School of Economics, has created with this work a concept that is still relevant in contemporary analyses of social control.
Key features:
- Topic: moral panics and social control theory
- Author: Stanley Cohen
- Type: study book
- Focus on media, politics, and social reactions