Myths and Misconceptions of Human Behavior Response to Disasters

[Wendy Walsh]

I am listening brief from Dr. Joe Trainor from the University of Delaware Disaster Research Center (DRC)covering the top 10 myths about how people behave in disasters.  The power point is too large to post here- let me know if you would like a copy.  

The Myths are:

1) Organizations are the First Responders

2) Alerts cause mass panic

3) People do not comply with recommendations

4) Disaster lead to widespread social breakdown and looting

5) Contagion- people conversion on disaster sites with bad intentions

6) Psychological dependence - people will be "out of it" and will be dysfunctional

7) Role abandonment- public servants will be too focuses on homes & families

8) Coordination is a mostly technical problem

9) Plans and Planning are the same thing

10) the more policies, managerial control and rules leads to better response

What do you think about these myths?  Do you agree these are myths or do you think there is truth in them?