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  • © 2017

Making Sense of Moral Panics

A Framework for Research

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Presents a clear framework for interpreting and theorizing empirical findings in case studies of panic
  • Discusses the central role of the media in panic development
  • Appeals particularly to those in criminology, sociology, law and media studies
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Risk, Crime and Society (PSRCS)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 1-14
  3. The Development of the Moral Panic Concept

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 15-28
  4. Critiquing Moral Panic

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 29-57
  5. Considering the Focus of Moral Panic

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 59-84
  6. Media in a Moral Panic

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 85-115
  7. Killer Kids—A Case Study

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 117-149
  8. Gangster Guns—A Case Study

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 151-182
  9. Conclusions and Conjectures

    • Sarah Wright Monod
    Pages 183-196
  10. Back Matter

    Pages 197-201

About this book

This book offers a comprehensive framework for the study of moral panics. It provides an up-to-date overview of the history and development of the concept of panic, and discusses the key criticisms and debates that have stemmed from its use over the last four decades. While investigating the critical connections between crime reporting and panic development, Wright Monod also highlights the overall importance of social context, and social theory, for understanding episodes of moral panic.

Two case studies – one on murdering teens, and the other on gangs and guns – are explored to demonstrate the efficacy of the framework, and five research phases for panic study are extensively analysed. Drawing on the nature of sensationalist media coverage, and considering the impact of new media ecosystems in panic development, this innovative study considers the shape of the field of moral panic scholarship today and, crucially, the directions in which its study is heading. This is an

informed and original book which will appeal to scholars of risk, deviance, and criminal justice.





Authors and Affiliations

  • Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Sarah Wright Monod

About the author

Sarah Wright Monod is a Lecturer in the School of Social and Cultural Studies at the University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access