#Selling Hysteria
Two weeks prior to the 10th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11, a group of researchers conducted a survey where they asked average citizens about two significant events that came to mind.
Thirty percent (30%) of those surveyed answered 9/11.
During the 10th anniversary of 9/11, another group was surveyed with the same question. This time 60% said 9/11.
Interestingly enough, two weeks after the anniversary, the group’s survey numbers dropped back down to 30%.
What happened? The media happened.
In and around that time (9/11/2011), the media bombarded the airwaves with facts, stats, and updates about 9/11. In short, the media ‘forced you’ to think about 9/11 with its round-the-clock coverage. Later, the number dropped back down to 30% because the media had moved on to the next ‘hot topic’.
This effect, of focusing people on a given subject is called Agenda-setting theory which was formally developed by Dr. Maxwell McCombs and Dr. Donald Lewis Shaw.