reactions to disaster: 50 years of social science lee clarke department of sociology rutgers...

Reactions to Disaster: 50 Years Reactions to Disaster: 50 Years of Social Scienceof Social Science

Lee ClarkeLee Clarke

Department of SociologyDepartment of SociologyRutgers UniversityRutgers University

leeclarke.comleeclarke.com

Three Main PointsThree Main Points

Disasters, warnings, & bad news do not Disasters, warnings, & bad news do not induce panicinduce panic

There’s a crucial difference between There’s a crucial difference between “official” responders and “first” responders“official” responders and “first” responders

Trust Trust is the key to effective risk is the key to effective risk communicationcommunication

TheThe image of panic image of panic

The reality of non-panic

Non-panic finding is robustNon-panic finding is robust

•Research from US Strategic Bombing Survey

•Plane crashes

•Natural disasters

•Biologically threatening events1793 yellow fever in Philadelphia1918 Spanish flu1984 Rajneesh cult attack1932-1945 Japanese attacks on China

Who are “first responders”?Who are “first responders”?

Construction workers next to Cypress Viaduct, Loma Prieta earthquake

The stranger next to you in a restaurant.The stranger next to you in a restaurant.

The coworker in the next cubicle.The coworker in the next cubicle.

Neighbors, friends, passersby.Neighbors, friends, passersby.

Teachers: 20% of American population is Teachers: 20% of American population is in K-12 for ½ the year.in K-12 for ½ the year.

Who are “first responders”?Who are “first responders”?

Bad risk communicationBad risk communicationMilwaukee smallpox riots, 1894Milwaukee smallpox riots, 1894

From: J. W. Leavitt, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, 2003, 1(3).

Good risk communicationGood risk communicationNYC smallpox vaccinations, 1947NYC smallpox vaccinations, 1947

From: J. W. Leavitt, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, 2003, 1(3).

Take awaysTake aways

Give more & detailed information, even if it is Give more & detailed information, even if it is frighteningfrightening

Avoid slogans and condescensionAvoid slogans and condescension

People die the same way they live: in families, People die the same way they live: in families, faith based organizations, networks, etc.faith based organizations, networks, etc.

Push disaster resources to local levelPush disaster resources to local level

PeoplePeople are also “critical infrastructure”are also “critical infrastructure”

People don’t typically overreact to bad news—People don’t typically overreact to bad news—unless they perceive the messenger is unless they perceive the messenger is untrustworthy. Leaders must earn the trust.untrustworthy. Leaders must earn the trust.