Reactions to Disaster: 50 Years of Social Science Lee Clarke Department of Sociology Rutgers Univers

1
Reactions to Disaster 50 Years of Social
ScienceLee ClarkeDepartment of
SociologyRutgers Universityleeclarke.com
2
Three Main Points

• Disasters, warnings, bad news do not induce
  panic
• Theres a crucial difference between official
  responders and first responders
• Trust is the key to effective risk communication

3
The image of panic
4
The reality of non-panic
5
Non-panic finding is robust

• Research from US Strategic Bombing Survey
• Plane crashes
• Natural disasters
• Biologically threatening events
• 1793 yellow fever in Philadelphia
• 1918 Spanish flu
• 1984 Rajneesh cult attack
• 1932-1945 Japanese attacks on China

6
Who are first responders?
Construction workers next to Cypress Viaduct,
Loma Prieta earthquake
7
Who are first responders?

• The stranger next to you in a restaurant.
• The coworker in the next cubicle.
• Neighbors, friends, passersby.
• Teachers 20 of American population is in K-12
  for ½ the year.

8
Bad risk communicationMilwaukee smallpox riots,
1894
From J. W. Leavitt, Biosecurity and
Bioterrorism Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and
Science, 2003, 1(3).
9
Good risk communicationNYC smallpox
vaccinations, 1947
From J. W. Leavitt, Biosecurity and
Bioterrorism Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and
Science, 2003, 1(3).
10
Take aways

• Give more detailed information, even if it is
  frightening
• Avoid slogans and condescension
• People die the same way they live in families,
  faith based organizations, networks, etc.
• Push disaster resources to local level
• People are also critical infrastructure
• People dont typically overreact to bad
  newsunless they perceive the messenger is
  untrustworthy. Leaders must earn the trust.