SDP_054 The Mass Psychology of Disasters: 8 Findings That Don’t Fit the Narrative
PODCAST – Panic is far from being the typical reaction to disaster. Dr. Perrodin explains 8 findings about disaster response that doesn’t fit the typical narrative. For example, contagion behavior is simply copying the behavior of others and often leads to a sub-optimal outcome – so stop and recognize ALL options! He describes that crowd violence is seldom random and what “freezing” really means.
DIRECT LINK to MP3 of this Episode: https://tinyurl.com/SDP54
ANECDOTES
Dr. Perrodin shares entertaining anecdotes of tacky Christmas inflatables, his reasons for migrating to PodBean, tinkering with his new ZoomH4Npro, why virtual reality fieldtrips in schools will be all the rage and vulnerable to delivering political or social agendas and further painting formative years reconnaissance as being dangerous (this is spurious logic) and how singularity will save at least 30,000 lives in the US annually in just 25 years by decreasing vehicle fatalities by 90%. David also shares a lesser known life story of GM / Frigidaire founder William Durant, his fiscal, psychological and health collapses, and how his final years were spent flipping burgers at a bowling alley in Michigan. To inform this episode, Dr. Perrodin explores “The mass psychology of disasters and emergency evacuations: A research report and implications for practice (2007)” by Dr. John Drury & Dr. Chris Cocking – Department of Psychology – University of Sussex.
COMMUNICATION IN A DISASTER MAKES OR BREAKS THOSE IN AUTHORITY
Downplaying the importance of meaningful communication with the (irrational) crowd may develop a distrust of the authorities. In turn, this may mean valid information may be ignored or not acted upon by the public in the future
PEOPLE EXIT WHERE THEY ENTERED
People tend to seek to exit the same way they entered – even when a marked exit might be closer – it is not a familiar or intended route. Due to most people having rusty situational awareness, they often do not recognize the emergency and act quickly enough. It’s easier, but not smarter, to simply be led (follow).
WHAT REALLY IS “FREEZING”?
Freezing during a disaster takes two forms: (1) Literally not acting – freezing, and (2) Becoming disassociated or psychologically distanced from the reality of what is happening and waste time inappropriately tidying desks, organizing areas, waiting to power down computers. This is basically a defense mechanism of expecting life to return to the expected torus, or what is normal. It is a failure to acknowledge a state of chaos – and chaos actually presents options to those that accept that the disruption of the torus.
CONTAGION BEHAVIOR – NEVER JUST GO WITH THE CROWD
Contagion behavior is simply copying the behavior of others. If you looked were in a crowd and people suddenly began to run in a direction, with a sense of panic, most would follow – yet not knowing the cause or without evaluating options. One person who appears to present with confidence and be informed can lead others to a suboptimal outcome that they would have never selected without infected by the contagion.
LESS THAN 1% OF PEOPLE PANIC
Panic is far from being the typical reaction to a disaster. In fact, it has been noted in .8% of cases including the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945 and the September 11, 2001 WTC attacks. Dr. Perrodin illuminated 3 flaws in “The Panic Model”.
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Resource cited:
The mass psychology of disasters and emergency evacuations: A research report and implications for practice (2007) Dr. John Drury & Dr. Chris Cocking – Department of Psychology – University of Sussex.
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