University of Twente Student Theses

Login

Mediakeuze tijdens een crisis: Getoetst aan de hand van de awareness factoren van het FRIS model

Geserick, E.C. (2013) Mediakeuze tijdens een crisis: Getoetst aan de hand van de awareness factoren van het FRIS model.

[img] PDF
392kB
Abstract:Because of the considerable increase in the use of new media, the way we communicate has changed, not only in daily life but also in times of crisis. The government is used to communicating through traditional media channels. Nowadays, however, citizens are very capable of searching for information themselves. In a crisis, which mixture of communication channels will be the most successful? Studies show that perceptions, feelings and the need for information have to be taken into account for successful communication purposes (Griffin, Neuwirth & Dunwoody, 1999) and that information need plays a key role as a predictor of risk information seeking behavior (Ter Huurne & Gutteling, 2008). It is of importance to gain more insight into information seeking behavior. The Framework of Risk Information Seeking (FRIS, Ter Huurne, 1999) describes the underlying processes of this seeking behavior. The aim of the study is to provide more insight into the awareness factors of the FRIS, involvement, risk perception and self-efficacy, with the focus on the former. Furthermore, the study examines the influence of the awareness factors in the kind of information one wants to have in a crisis and through which channels one hopes to obtain that information, either through personal contact, traditional media or new media. Finally, daily choice of media was compared with the choice during a crisis. The research has an experimental between subjects design with two conditions (high versus low involvement). A survey was designed and used to conduct this research. 233 participants filled out the survey. Results showed that the manipulation to increase the degree of involvement did not have the expected effect. There were no statistically significant data to support the influence of the awareness factors on the kind of information one wants to have during a crisis. One tends to search for information about a loved one by means of personal contact. Frequent use of personal contact and new media in daily life turns out to be the same choice during a crisis. Interestingly, frequent users of new media also tend to turn to the traditional media in a crisis. Implications and suggestions are discussed.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63205
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page