Convergence behavior in disasters; a problem in social control

Charles E Fritz

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• Disaster

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• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 24
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 11 Mo

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Disaster Number 9Study
Behavior in DisastersConvergence
A Problem in Social Control
CHARLES E. FRITZ AND J. H. MATHEWSON
onCommittee Disaster Studies
National off Sciences-Academy
National Research Council
Publication 476MEMBERS
F. Jacobsen, ChairmanCarlyle ON DISASTER STUDIESCOMMITTEE
W. Co-chairmanDwight Chapman,
Charles W. The Committee on Disaster Studies is a committeeBray
John A. Clausen of the Division of andAnthropology Psychology,
John P. Gillin
National ResearchNational of SciencesAcademy
L JanisIrving
the result of aCouncil. It was established as request
Lewis M. Killian
Council the Sur-made of the Research byAcademyJohn H. Mathewson
AirGeneral of the the and the
Russell W. geons Army, Navy,Newman
that it "conduct a and in the fieldsJohn W. Raker Force, survey study
toJohn P. of scientific research andSpiegel applicabledevelopment
F. C. WallaceAnthony which result from disasters causedproblems might
action."enemybyMEMBERS, ex officio
KluckhohnClyde
inThe function of the Committee is to aid develop-
HarlowHarry
a field of scientific research on the humaning aspects
of maintains adisaster. The Committee clearinghouse
STAFF
on disaster a roster of scientificresearch, publishes
B. Williams,Harry
in the field of disaster and issuesresearch,personnel
Technical Director
toa Newsletter. It makes modest grantsperiodicallyCharles E. Fritz
research in disaster advises withstudies,Luisa Fisher encourage
Jeannette F. officials on of human behaviorRayner problemsresponsible
Mark J. Nearman in and from time to time issues ondisaster, reports
Helen McMahon
the results of disaster research.
Devorah K. Berdansky
At its activities are a grantpresent supported by
DIVISION OF from the Ford and aFoundation, special grantby
ANTHROPOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY from the National Institute of Mental Health of the
of Education and Welfare.Chairman Health,Kluckhohn,Clyde Department
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U .E iDisaster Number 9Study
Committee on Disaster Studies
Division of andAnthropology Psychology
CONVERGENCE BEHAVIOR IN DISASTERS
A Problem In Social Control
A for theSpecial Report Prepared
Committee on Disaster Studies
by
FritzCharles E.
Research Associate
Committee on Disaster Studies
and
J. H. Mathewson
institute of and TrafficTransportation Engineering
of CaliforniaUniversity
Publication 476
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
M
D. C.Washington,
1957He
ofLibrary Congress Catalog
No.Card 57-60019
11PREFACE
This is the third within the series of Disaster Re-special report Study
The are to andsummarize,ports. special reports designed analyze, publish
the of recent disaster research on which the Committee be-findings topics
lieves to have and timeliness for both research workers and theimportance
concerned with disastermany organizations problems.
A of human behavior in disaster is thestriking aspect informal, spon-
taneous movement of and toward the disasterpeople, messages, supplies
area. This form of which the authors term behav-movement, "convergence
" needed aid to but at the same timeior, victims, the resultantbrings many
makes and control of the rescue and relief effortscongestion organization
more difficult.
behavior is as a source of difficultConvergence widely recognized
in disaster. Some of its such as traffic haveproblems effects, congestion,
received much Allattention. too it is discussed in termsoften, however,
too to be for when the who moveas,general very helpful, example, people
toward the disaster site are into the oflumped uncritically category "sight-
in a broader context and more refinedBy placing convergence making
and critical the authors a fresh to thedistinctions, bring perspective problem.
and examine the forms of and the differ-They distinguish major convergence
ent which andmotivations discuss the of theseit,impel they implications
for methods and offindings developing techniques controlling convergence.
Their and recommendations the concerns of disasterfindings uponimpinge
and localnational, state, officials;organization planners; governmental
of the and other mass media ofrepresentatives radio, television,press,
and trafficcommunication; transportation specialists; telephone, telegraph,
and other technical communication and law enforcementspecialists; police
and social and behavioral scientists of severalofficials; disciplines.
Issuance of this does not indicate concurrence inreport necessarily
each conclusion or factual statement members of the Committee on Disas-by
ter Studies or the are convincedCommittee's Weby sponsoring agencies.
that this and well-documented advances our basic under-thoughtful analysis
of human behavior in disasters and that it deserves serious asstanding study
a basis afor more realistic to of disasterapproach problems organization
and control.
F. JacobsenCarlyle
Chairman
Committee on Disaster Studiesr
A
HiACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
their and to theThe authors wish to express appreciation gratitude
named who read and commented on a draftpreliminaryfollowing persons
of this Dr. John C. Balloch and Mr. William S. Bennett,report: Opera-
Mr. Davidtions Research The JohnsOffice, Hopkins University; Brinkley,
National Messrs. D. F. L. Gar-Brennan,Company; RalphBroadcasting
F. P. andLeslie L. Barent A.rett, Landstreet, Miller,Kullenberg, Lloyd
all of Federal Civil Defense AdministrationA. Woodward, headquarters;
Miss Rue National Research Messrs. A. andBucher, Center;Opinion Burg
Slade F. Institute of and Traffic Uni-Hulbert, Transportation Engineering,
of Sir Ernest Rock Civil Defence consultantCalifornia;versity Carling,
and the of Health andadviser to the British Home Office to Ministries Supply,
Dr. James C. The andLondon; Laboratory Clinic,Diggory, Psychological
of Mr. Robert C. The American NationalEdson,University Pennsylvania;
Norman E. Maurice T. and E. F. Schietin-Red Drs.Cross; Green, Price,
Air Force Personnel and Research Center Air(U.S. Force);ger, Training
Dr. Instituut voor Sociaal Onderzoek van het NederlandseGroenman,Sj.
Dr. L. The Dr.John RandVolk, Amsterdam; Kennedy, Corporation; Dorothy
L. Hunter Dr. Lewis M. The Florida State Univer-Keur, Killian,College;
Dr. Donald N. Inc. Dr. John WalkerMichael, Associates, ;sity; Dunlap
Fund for Adult Mr. E. L. IndianaPowell, Education; Quarantelli, University;
Mr. Leonard Coe Dr. F. C. EasternSchatzman, College; Anthony Wallace,
and Dr. Michael Institute of Com-Institute;Pennsylvania Psychiatric Young,
London.Studies,munity
of the commentators not criticisms of the manu-Many only gave helpful
but also additional ideas which have been inscript, suggested incorporated
the text or in footnote references. None of of are inthem, course, any way
for the deficiencies which and this ofremain,responsible acknowledgement
their aid does not with the conclusions reachednecessarily imply agreement
in the report.
Grateful is made to the namedacknowledgement following publishers
for to from their The Controller of Her Britan-permission quote publications:
nic for from Richard M.Majesty's Stationery Office, Titmuss,quotations
Problems of Social McGraw-Hill BookPolicy (London, 1950); Inc.,Company,
and The Rand for from L. Air War andCorporation, Janis,quotations Irving
Emotional Stress and the of Press for(New York, 1951); University Chicago
from the article Leo in the Requotations by Grebler, "Continuity -Building
of Bombed Cities in Western American Journal ofEurope," Sociology, LXI,
No. 5 (March 1956), 463-469.We wish to our to the American National Redexpress appreciation
Cross for the used in this and for usfurnishing photographs report giving
to them.permission reproduce
C. E. F.
J. H. M.
1957February,
VI