Theorizing Crisis Communication

Theorizing Crisis Communication presents a comprehensive review and critique of the broad range of theoretical frameworks designed to explain the role of communication in the development, management, and consequences of natural and man-made crises.

• Brings together the variety of theoretical approaches emerging in the study of crisis communication into one volume for the first time.

• Summarizes theories from such diverse perspectives as rhetoric, risk management, ethics, mass communication, social media, emergency response, crisis outcomes, and warning systems, while presenting clear examples of how the theory is applied in crisis communication research

• Presents theoretical frameworks generated by research from many disciplines including sociology, psychology, applied anthropology, public health, public relations, political science, organizational studies, and criminal justice

• An essential tool for a comprehensive understanding of the onset, management, response, resolution, and ultimate meaning of these devastating world events

Autorentext

Timothy L. Sellnow is Professor of Communication and
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in Communication at the
University of Kentucky. Dr. Sellnow's interdisciplinary
research on risk and crisis communication appears in an array of
refereed journals, handbooks, and edited volumes. He has also
co-authored five books on risk and crisis communication. Dr.
Sellnow frequently serves as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies
in the food industry and government agencies such as the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) on risk and crisis communication planning.

Matthew W. Seeger is Dean of the College of Fine,
Performing and Communication Arts and a Professor of Communication
at Wayne State University in Detroit. His work on crisis, risk and
communication has appeared in over 100 journal articles, book
chapters, and conference proceedings. Seeger is the author or
co-author of six books on organizational communication ethics and
crisis and risk communication. Dr. Seeger also frequently serves as
an advisor to the auto industry, manufacturing organizations and
government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), on topics related to crisis management.

Zusammenfassung

Theorizing Crisis Communication presents a comprehensive review and critique of the broad range of theoretical frameworks designed to explain the role of communication in the development, management, and consequences of natural and man-made crises.

• Brings together the variety of theoretical approaches emerging in the study of crisis communication into one volume for the first time.
• Summarizes theories from such diverse perspectives as rhetoric, risk management, ethics, mass communication, social media, emergency response, crisis outcomes, and warning systems, while presenting clear examples of how the theory is applied in crisis communication research
• Presents theoretical frameworks generated by research from many disciplines including sociology, psychology, applied anthropology, public health, public relations, political science, organizational studies, and criminal justice
• An essential tool for a comprehensive understanding of the onset, management, response, resolution, and ultimate meaning of these devastating world events

Inhalt

Notes on Authors viii

1 Introduction to Crisis Communication Theory 1

Defining Crisis 4

Defining Communication 10

Theory 15

Plan for This Book 21

Conclusion 22

2 Theories of Communication and Crisis Development 25

Assumptions of Stage Models 27

Three-Stage Model 30

Fink's Four-Stage Cycle 33

Turner's Six-Stage Sequence of Failure in Foresight 37

Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication 40

Conclusion 45

3 Theories of Communication and Warning 49

Detection of Risks 50

Functional Approaches to Communication and Warning 51

Hear-Confirm-Understand-Decide-Respond Model 57

Protective Action Decision Model 60

Integrated Model of Food Recall 67

Emerging Warning Systems 71

Conclusion 72

4 Theories of Communication and Crisis Outcomes 76

Organizational Learning 77

Sensemaking 83

Organizational Legitimacy 87

Situational Crisis Communication Theory 91

Discourse of Renewal 96

Conclusion 100

5 Theories of Communication and Emergency Response
105

Assumptions of Communication and Emergency Response 107

Chaos Theory and Emergent Self-Organization 108

Theories of Communication and Crisis Coordination 114

Communication and Community Resilience 122

Four-Channel Model of Communication 127

Conclusion 132

6 Theories of Communication and Mediated Crises 138

News Framing Theory 140

Focusing Events 143

Uses and Gratifications Theory 147

Crisis News Diffusion 151

Diffusion of Innovations 154

Conclusion 158

7 Theories of Influence and Crisis Communication 163

Apologia 165

Image Repair 168

Kategoria 172

Dramatism 176

Narrative Theory 181

Conclusion 184

8 Theories of Communication and Risk Management 188

Mindfulness 190

High Reliability Organizations 195

Precautionary Principle 200

Cultural Theory 204

Risk Communication as Argument 208

Conclusion 212

9 Theories of Crisis Communication and Ethics 217

Ethics 218

Crisis Communication as an Ethical Domain 221

Responsible Communication 223

Significant Choice 225

The Ethic of Care 227

Virtue Ethics 229

Justice 230

Applications of Moral Theory to Crisis 232

Conclusion 235

10 Using Theories of Crisis Communication 239

Minimization of Communication in an All-Hazards Approach 240

The Practicality of Theory in Understanding Crisis Communication
242

The Pathway for Inspiring Meaningful Change 243

Successful Connections Linking Theory-Based Research and
Practitioners 245

Promising New Lines of Research 250

Persistent Challenges 257

A Final Word 259

Index 263