Dr. Martin Lea

This article discuses the common presumption about public panic in disasters, suggesting instead that panic is rarely observed, or that rational behaviour can be misinterpreted as panic. The belief that panic will occur may lead to potentially damaging decisions such as withholding of information by the authorities. Panic is likely to be fuelled to a … Read more

This article discusses the factors that impact upon evacuation behaviour. Social issues are crucial to this topic as individuals will want to coordinate with others, in particular their families before acting. Some individuals may also resist evacuation orders, whereas others may evacuate from unaffected areas (termed an ‘evacuation shadow’). The use of reception centres is … Read more

This article discusses the crucial issue of communicating information to the public. Communication is a key influence on the psychological responses of the public to a disaster incident. The public require information that is clear, trusted and timely; rumours will fill an information vacuum. The tensions between the need to communicate information to the public … Read more

This article discusses the tendency of non-exposed individuals to seek medical care following a chemical or biological disaster. Although the medical services need to identify those who need immediate treatment, those presenting with ‘psychogenic illness’ should not be dismissed. They may not be well in psychological terms and require empathy for their legitimate concerns. It … Read more

This article discusses the immediate social response to a disaster incident by the affected community. The literature suggests that victims respond in an active rather than passive manner following a disaster incident and that altruism and volunteer behaviour is generally found, which results in increased social cohesion. See also this article on The Public as … Read more