Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction to Crisis Communication Theory. Defining Crisis ; Defining Communication ; Theory ; Plan for This Book Conclusion. -- Theories of Communication and Crisis Development. Assumptions of Stage Models ; Three-Stage Model ; Fink's Four-Stage Cycle ; Turner's Six-Stage Sequence of Failure in Foresight ; Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Communication and Warning. Detection of Risks ; Functional Approaches to Communication and Warning ; Hear-Confi rm-Understand-Decide-Respond Model ; Protective Action Decision Model ; Integrated Model of Food Recall ; Emerging Warning Systems ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Communication and Crisis Outcomes. Organizational Learning ; Sensemaking ; Organizational Legitimacy ; Situational Crisis Communication Theory ; Discourse of Renewal ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Communication and Emergency Response. Assumptions of Communication and Emergency Response ; Chaos Theory and Emergent Self-Organization ; Theories of Communication and Crisis Coordination ; Communication and Community Resilience ; Four-Channel Model of Communication ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Communication and Mediated Crises ; News Framing Theory ; Focusing Events ; Uses and Gratifi cations Theory ; Crisis News Diffusion ; Diffusion of Innovations ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Infl uence and Crisis Communication. Apologia ; Image Repair ; Kategoria ; Dramatism ; Narrative Theory ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Communication and Risk Management. Mindfulness ; High Reliability Organizations ; Precautionary Principle ; Cultural Theory ; Risk Communication as Argument ; Conclusion. -- Theories of Crisis Communication and Ethics. Ethics ; Crisis Communication as an Ethical Domain ; Responsible Communication ; Signifi cant Choice ; The Ethic of Care ; Virtue Ethics ; Justice ; Applications of Moral Theory to Crisis ; Conclusion. -- Using Theories of Crisis Communication. Minimization of Communication in an All-Hazards Approach ; The Practicality of Theory in Understanding Crisis Communication ; The Pathway for Inspiring Meaningful Change ; Successful Connections Linking Theory-Based Research and Practitioners ; Promising New Lines of Research ; Persistent Challenges ; A Final Word.

"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. This book: 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."--Publisher's website.