Dialectical Relationships as a Prominent Role in Crisis Communication: A Penn State University Case Study
Open Access
Author:
Tupper, Ashton Michelle
Area of Honors:
Communication Arts and Sciences (Berks/Lehigh)
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Cheryl L Nicholas, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Sandy Feinstein, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Crisis communication Sandusky scandal Situated Crisis Communication Theory Dialetics Public Relations
Abstract:
In this paper, ideas associated with the Situated Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) are used with an interactional lens to study the efficacy of the crisis communication employed by Penn State University during the Sandusky football scandal.
Specifically, using the SCCT loosely as a guide, while recognizing the limitations of the SCCT, the paper provides an analysis and discussion of how Penn State main campus’ crisis management strategies affected the student body and, more specifically, branch campuses. The reaction of students from Penn State Berks reveals the function of communication as a dialogic and the ways in which the attribution of organizational responsibility is formed through the contextual basis of relationships. Relationships are dynamic, communication is dynamic, and publics are dynamic. Organizations must learn to exist in the dialogic space if they are to be successful in repairing their reputation in the aftermath of a crisis.
