دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی روانشناسی چگونه می تواند تحقیقات فاجعه را گزارش کند؟ - الزویر 2018

Abstract

This paper will set out our current understanding of how psychology can help us to understand and influence preparation for, and responses to disaster. Using four primary research studies, this paper will outline how psychology can inform our knowledge of all stages of a disaster (preparedness, immediate response and long-term consequences). The first study used a questionnaire design to examine factors that influence evacuation behaviours. The second and third studies explored physiological and psychological responses to simulated disaster training. The fourth study explored the consequences of trauma exposure focusing specifically on predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth. The results show that psychology can play a role in our understanding of human behaviour during a disaster. Specifically, study one shows how psychology can inform disaster preparation by identifying barriers to evacuation. The second and third studies show how psychology can help us to explore and predict human behaviour during a disaster. Finally, the fourth study highlights how psychology can help us to understand the longer-term impact of exposure to traumatic events. Overall, the results of these studies show that psychological knowledge can predict and positively influence human behaviour in response to disasters.

Conclusions

This paper outlined four studies which clearly illustrate how psychology can inform our understanding of disasters, and their management. Study One outlined how a common factor, such as pet ownership, can have a major impact on how people respond in a disaster [3]. Pet ownership can lead to people not engaging in evacuation behaviours, which means that they could put themselves at risk of harm. By undertaking psychological research which identifies potential barriers to compliance with emergency instructions, disaster planners may be able to design and implement interventions. The field of psychology, therefore, has a role to play in identifying barriers to preparedness and evaluating any suggested interventions. Psychology can also highlight factors which influence people’s survival chances during a disaster. Study Two examined whether the presence of friends during simulated disaster training can affect individual’s responses. Previous research suggests social support can have a positive impact, reducing stress responses to acutely stressful situations [7]. However, the results of Study Two illustrate that the mediating effects of social support are not straightforward, with participants who had friends on the course reporting higher levels of psychological stress. One explanation is that the presence of friends led to higher levels of social-evaluative pressure [8] and people felt they were being critically evaluated on their performance. Potential solutions include increasing team-building prior to training or offering training to groups of people who do not know each other.