Crisis Memory

Why Did They Study This?

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

People naturally look to past experiences when responding to new crises.

Reputational Risks for Organizations

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

Organizations with a history of crises may suffer greater reputational damage, amplified by social media.

Practical Applications

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

Understanding crisis memory can help improve crisis communication, build public trust, and encourage cooperation.

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

This study examines how the public reconstructs past crises and their effects on organizational reputation and public perception.

Analysis

Strengths

The study provides a new perspective on crisis communication by connecting past crises to present public responses.

It uses both qualitative (content analysis) and quantitative (survey) methods, making the findings more reliable.

It shows real-world implications—organizations must recognize that past crises don’t disappear; they live on in public memory and shape future crises.

Critiques

Only focused on Chinese social media—would these findings apply elsewhere?

Doesn’t fully explore how organizations can respond when past crises resurface in public memory

Time gap issue—people were asked to recall past social media exposure, which may lead to inaccuracies.

Implications for Crisis Communication

Recognizing Crisis Memory

Historical Lessons for Control

Organizations need to recognize and engage with crisis memory. If people are recalling a past crisis, organizations should proactively address it rather than ignoring it.

Historical Lessons for Control

Historical references can help people feel more in control by using past lessons to guide behavior.

Heroism and Trust

Historical Lessons for Control

The Danger of Over-Reliance on Heroes

Organizations can use positive crisis memory (like heroism and history) to build trust and encourage safety behaviors.

The Danger of Over-Reliance on Heroes

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

The Danger of Over-Reliance on Heroes

Over-relying on hero stories might backfire—if people think "the heroes will handle it," they may not take action themselves.

Nationalism and Risk Awareness

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

Nationalism narratives might reduce fear, but they shouldn’t overshadow real risks.

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

Criticism is inevitable—organizations should respond constructively rather than defensively.

How This Contributes to Crisis Theory

Situational Crisis Communication Theory

If an organization has faced similar crises in the past, people are more likely to assign blame and trust it less. This "crisis memory" shapes the public's perception of the organization's responsibility and reputation.

Attribution Theory

People rely on past crises to determine who is to blame in a new situation. Strong emotions, such as anger or fear, from previous events influence how they react.

Image Restoration Theory

Organizations can leverage positive memories, such as heroic efforts, to rebuild trust. However, if past failures are left unaddressed, negative memories can damage their reputation.

Social Constructionism

This study reinforces social constructionism—crises aren’t simply objective events; they are shaped by how people remember and discuss them.

crisis memory

Review of the Study

Why Did They Study This?

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

Reputational Risks for Organizations

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

Impact of Past Crises on Public Response

Practical Applications

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

SHIFTING FOCUS TO CRISIS MEMORY

Quick Facts

The study had two main parts

Analysis

Strengths

Critiques

Implications for Crisis Communication

Recognizing Crisis Memory

Historical Lessons for Control

Historical Lessons for Control

Historical Lessons for Control

Historical Lessons for Control

Historical Lessons for Control

Heroism and Trust

Historical Lessons for Control

The Danger of Over-Reliance on Heroes

The Danger of Over-Reliance on Heroes

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

The Danger of Over-Reliance on Heroes

Nationalism and Risk Awareness

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

Constructive Criticism in Crisis Response

How This Contributes to Crisis Theory

Situational Crisis Communication Theory

Attribution Theory

Image Restoration Theory

Social Constructionism

Thought Questions

and remember... Crisis Memory isn’t just about the past—it actively shapes how people and organizations respond to new crises

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