SSSP Gets Spooky

Sociologist Joel Best famously examined fears about poisoned Halloween candy and razor blades in apples, showing how Halloween legends can reveal broader anxieties about danger, childhood, crime, and social change. So, in the spirit of Halloween, we want to hear from the SSSP community! What urban legend, moral panic, social fear, or supposedly “spooky” phenomenon would you love to analyze or have you analyzed sociologically? Is there a classic sociology reading that gives you Halloween vibes? What is your favorite Halloween candy?

Let’s use October as an excuse to talk sociology, meet one another, and have a little fun. After all, even Halloween is socially constructed.

Posted Thursday, 10/29/2026, 08:27 AM - Comments - Category: Member News