Mass Hysteria & Moral Panic Lecture Notes

Human Nature and Fear: As part of human nature, individuals tend to fear change or the unknown. This fear manifests in two primary phenomena: mass hysteria and moral panic.
Mass Hysteria Definition: Mass hysteria is defined as an imagined or assumed threat that causes physical symptoms among a large number of people.
Moral Panic Definition: Defined by Emeritus Professor of Sociology Stanley Cohen as a fear that grips a large number of people that some 'evil' is threatening the well-being of society.
General Comparison:
- Mass Hysteria: Focuses on physical effects, such as changes in behavior or physical well-being.
- Moral Panic: Focuses on the perception that a societal norm is being seriously threatened.

Robert Bartholomew's Contributions: A sociologist and author of several books, including The Martians Have Landed: A History of Media-Driven Panics and Hoaxes. He provides specific insights into mass hysteria:
- Common Symptoms: Typical symptoms include smelling gas, seeing strange objects, acting like animals, and fainting.
- Duration: Mass hysteria is a short-term event.
- Causality: It may or may not have a specific cause. People can develop real symptoms simply from hearing stories. In some cases, there is no real explanation for why it happens.
The Henny Penny (Chicken Little) Metaphor: In the folktale, a chicken believes the world is ending and runs around shouting, 'The sky is falling!' This illustrates how one individual's false belief can create widespread hysteria.

The Tennessee High School Incident (No Known Cause):
- Context: A teacher reported a petrol-like smell in her classroom shortly after arriving at school in the morning.
- Reported Symptoms: Several students in the classroom developed dizziness, nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath.
- Scope: Approximately $100$ people eventually reported these types of symptoms.
- Outcome: The school was evacuated, and investigators searched for days but found no trace of a gas leak or other physical cause. Blood tests performed on individuals with symptoms showed no abnormal results.
The War of the Worlds Broadcast (Known Cause):
- Date: October 30, 1938.
- Source: A radio broadcast adapted from H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds, narrated by Orson Welles.
- Format: The hour-long broadcast was presented in a news bulletin format without commercial breaks, which led listeners to believe a real Martian invasion was occurring.
- Statistical Impact:
  - Approximately $6 \times 10^6$ people heard the broadcast.
  - $1.7 \times 10^6$ listeners believed the news was true.
  - $1.2 \times 10^6$ listeners exhibited hysterical behavior.
- Reported Manifestations: Audience members reported physical perceptions of the 'invasion,' such as smelling poison gas or seeing lightning flashes in the distance.

Focus on Morality: Panics are specifically framed in terms of morality and are usually expressed as public outrage.
Societal Function: They provide an avenue for groups to assess and redirect the moral values of society.
Generational Conflict: Moral panics are typically exhibited by the older generation toward the younger generation.
Theme of Sexuality: Most moral panics involve issues related to changes in rules or norms regarding sexuality.
Social Liberalism vs. Conservatism: Large-scale shifts toward social liberalism often create fear among social conservatives. These groups may believe such trends will lead to the 'unraveling of Western Civilization.'

The Civil Rights and Women’s Liberation Movements: During the 1960s and 1970s, these movements dramatically altered societal rules regarding race, sex, and gender, triggering widespread moral panic among those fearing a loss of traditional structure.
The Fear of Rock 'n' Roll Music: Around the time of the civil rights movement, the older generation feared rock 'n' roll would cause a loss of morals, leading specifically to anti-social behavior and promiscuity in younger generations.
New Dance Moves (The Waltz):
- Context: 19th-century Victorian England.
- The Concern: Older generations found the waltz 'indecent' because it required partners to hold each other closely. They feared moral values would disintegrate the moment feet touched the dance floor.
- Resolution: Within a generation, the waltz was accepted, and modern perspectives view the original fear as laughable.
Heavy Metal Music (Late 20th Century):
- Acts Involved: Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, and KISS.
- Reaction: The older generation shuddered at the dark themes of heavy metal performers, while the youth enjoyed the concerts and music. These acts pushed the boundaries of social propriety and sparked conservative protests.
- Evolution: By the dawn of the 21st century, these figures became part of mainstream American culture. They now appear on television, own restaurants, and promote commercial products, with their music being widely accepted.