The History of Moral Panics and Conspiracy Theories
Throughout history, moral panics and conspiracy theories have periodically erupted and captured the public's imagination.
Throughout history, moral panics and conspiracy theories have periodically erupted and captured the public's imagination. A moral panic refers to intense fear, concern, or panic over a perceived threat to social values or interests. Conspiracy theories attempt to explain events and circumstances as the result of conspiracies by powerful actors.
Looking back through history, we can identify many examples of moral panics and conspiracy theories that took hold despite little evidence. In the late 19th century, a moral panic over white slavery led the government to pass the White Slave Traffic Act or Mann Act, banning the interstate transport of women for immoral purposes. Its passage was fuelled by sensationalized accounts of innocent young white women kidnapped and forced into prostitution. Still, historians have found little credible evidence that this was happening on any significant scale.
In the 1950s, McCarthyism and the Red Scare led to a conspiracy-fuelled panic over communist infiltration. Despite limited evidence, thousands of Americans were accused of being communists or communist sympathizers and forced out of careers based on rumour and hearsay. During this same era, the Lavender Scare targeted homosexuals in the government as alleged security risks.
The 1980s saw panics over widespread satanic ritual abuse at daycares, a conspiracy theory now recognized as entirely unfounded. Heavy metal lyrics were labelled as subliminal satanic messages. More recently, conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate and QAnon have gained traction through social media platforms and polarized political environments.
How Moral Panics and Conspiracies Spread
Sociologists have identified factors that can make moral panics and conspiracy theories more likely to emerge and spread:
Fear and uncertainty - Times of rapid social change, economic distress, war, disease outbreaks or technological advances can leave people afraid and seeking explanations.
Perceived threats to values or interests - Panics are more likely when a group feels its values or way of life are threatened.
Inability to assess risk - If a supposed threat is invisible or difficult to assess factually, fear is more likely to spread.
Sense of powerlessness - Panics arise when people feel powerless over forces controlling their lives.
Distrust in institutions - When trust in government, media and other institutions declines, conspiracy theories often fill the void.
New media technologies - New communication technologies like social media allow misinformation and rumours to spread rapidly.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Moral panics and conspiracy theories have always been with us, but the speed at which they now spread online creates additional risks. False information can seem true when shared widely through social networks. However, we can protect ourselves and our families by cultivating critical thinking and media literacy.
Here are some best practices:
Fact check information. Verify claims through trusted news and fact-checking sources before accepting or sharing.
Evaluate sources. Consider the expertise, credibility, and potential biases of the source. An anonymous blog post may not be credible.
Look for consensus. Single studies or claims are often misleading. Look for scientific consensus based on many studies.
Beware of cognitive biases. Understand how biases like confirmation bias can cause us to seek information validating pre-existing beliefs.
Watch for loaded language. Using exaggerated, emotionally charged language is often used to spread misinformation.
Consult experts. Ask people with subject expertise for input if something seems suspect or causes concern.
Avoid echo chambers. Consume diverse sources and viewpoints, not just those confirming your opinions.
Correct misinformation. If friends or family share questionable content, politely provide facts and alternative credible sources.
Limit consumption. Be mindful of how much time you spend consuming speculative or worrying online content, even just for entertainment.
Focus on facts. Ground discussions and debates in factual evidence from credible sources, not unverified theories.
Promote critical thinking. Ask children thought-provoking questions to exercise evaluating claims and evidence.
Teach media literacy. Educate children on identifying misinformation, checking sources, and responsible sharing.
Staying Grounded in Facts and Evidence
It's normal to have questions about concerning events and issues. However, grounding our thinking in facts and evidence allows us to have thoughtful discussions without falling down rabbit holes of fear, speculation and conspiracy thinking. When confronted with worrying theories, focus on verifiable facts from credible sources. Seek consensus from experts and institutions. And use critical thinking tools to assess both claims and sources. In this way, we can mitigate risks from misinformation and promote an informed society.
The allure of moral panics and conspiracy theories often grows in periods of fear and uncertainty. However, by teaching and promoting responsible digital literacy and critical thinking, we can help inoculate those we care about. An informed public is the best defence against the spread of unfounded theories and the damage they may cause. We can build a more resilient society by teaching media literacy skills, encouraging open and evidence-based dialogue, and being role models for critical thinking.