Causes and Consequences of Crisis

Synonyms

Adversity; Danger; Emergency; Tragedy; Tribulation; Urgent situation

Definitions

Causes of crisis refer to precipitating events that trigger the perception of danger. These triggers are interpreted within specific social contexts.

Introduction

Crises are grounded in both objective fact and social constructs. In the social sciences, endemic problems periodically rise to the level of what we characterize as “crisis.” This elevation occurs when a precipitating event activates opinion leaders and subsequently gains attention in the general population. “Triggers” often serve as a crystallizing event that focuses attention on endemic problems. For example, mass shootings of school children may increase knowledge of the number of guns in American society, crimes by foreigners may give rise to the perception of masses of dangerous immigrants streaming over unprotected borders, violent weather may beget concern over climate change, banking failures may precipitate fear of economic...