Crisis uncertainty: a nation living in fear after the attack on America-war on terrorism

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, 13 focus groups were conducted utilizing a structured focus group protocol for 53 individuals. The uncertain experiences among respondents illustrated how individuals reached into themselves and out to others to understand their specified needs at their time of need. Findings suggested that international students connected past social and historical events to the 9/11 attacks, perceptions of 9/11 led to: causal explanations, security fears, and developed patriotism. Additionally, cultural profiling emerged as worldviews of the cultural other shifted in interactions, and the primary sources for reducing uncertainty were forms of media.