Principal Investigator: Richard John
Other Researchers: Heather Rosoff
Abstract:
The objective of this research is to formulate a better understanding of how the public perceives the risk associated with disaster events (terrorist attacks and natural disasters) and the influence this has on behavioral decision making. In the event of a disaster, a critical component of being prepared is anticipating how the public will react not only in terms of services needed, but also the extent to which details about the event influence decision making. This work builds on prior years’ efforts to use survey design to (1) identify the psychological factors that influence individual decision making over time, and (2) study the actual decisions faced by U.S. residents in the period (weeks into months) following a disaster. Collecting and modeling data that captures the dynamics of public fears, beliefs and avoidance behavior in response to disaster events can be used by economic consequence modelers in their analyses and emergency responders in developing plans and programs to prepare and respond to various disaster events. During Year 10 we made progress by further developing scenario simulations designed to (1) identify the psychological factors that influence individual decision making, (2) study the actual decisions faced by U.S. residents following an event within the U.S., (3) assess both short- and long-term affective and cognitive reactions, as well as behavioral decision making in response to a disaster situation, and (4) develop from study findings policy recommendations that help the U.S. prevent, prepare and respond to disasters. Research progress and accomplishments made throughout Year 10 are described in the pages of this document. Overall, we conducted 5 research experiments throughout Year 10
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