Deciding to Help: Effects of Risk and Crisis Communication

• Published in: Journal of contingencies and crisis management Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 113 - 126
• Main Authors: Bakker, Marije H., Kerstholt, José H., Giebels, Ellen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Action control; Adequacy; Behavior; Between-subjects design; Chaos theory; Communication; Contingency planning; Crises; Decision making; Fractals; Management of crises; Psychological aspects; Risk communication
• ISSN: 0966-0879; 1468-5973
• DOI: 10.1111/1468-5973.12155

This study aimed to gain insight into the (combined) effects of risk and crisis communication on adequate behaviour during a crisis situation. In addition, it adds to the existing literature by examining the effects of risk and crisis communication on psychological factors that are involved in decision‐making during a crisis. This study, utilizing a virtual environment, was a 3 (risk communication: risk information vs. risk information with course of action vs. control) × 2 (crisis communication: with recommended behaviours vs. without recommended behaviours) between subjects design. Both risk and crisis communication supported adequate behaviour in a crisis situation. In addition, through risk communication, participants had less affective reactions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.