Suchergebnisse

The area of disaster studies is plagued by dubious statistical data and widespread conceptual disagreements. This is the major focus of discussion in the paper. We detail the limitations in much of the numerical data that are both specifically and generally used in discussions of disasters. Factors that are responsible for this, including inadequate conceptualizations about disasters are discussed. We also show that there is not much consensus by researchers and others about many of the most central concepts used such as "disaster", "hazards," "risk," etc. In our call for more reliable statistics and more relevant concepts, we provide examples and suggestions of how this could be done.

An information/communication revolution is being brought about by recent developments and innovations in computer and related technologies. Recognizes that many of the consequences will be very positive for all aspects of social life, but focuses on probable and possible negative effects of the currently accelerating cyberspace revolution. Discusses ten problematical aspects for disaster planning, management and research ranging, for example, from the creation of a new kind of disaster ‐ computer‐related system failures ‐ and the increased difficulties that will be generated for intra‐ and inter‐organizational communication and co‐ordination, to the problems that will come from an inevitable information overload and the diffusion of inappropriate or incorrect disaster relevant "facts" and "ideas".

Summarizes, under 12 general propositions, the findings from a series of field studies by the Disaster Research Center about the operations of the local mass media in disasters in the USA. The topics covered range from the disaster planning undertaken by mass media organizations, to the content of the news reported, and about differences among the electronic and print media involved, to the input of citizens into stories about disasters. Additionally, raises questions about the extent to which the findings can be extrapolated to other than US society.

Trends affecting the modern world are resulting in social changes that raise the probability of more and worse disasters in the 21st century. The negative factors mostly stem from ever‐increasing industrialization and the urbanization process. The first trend may lead to computer and bio‐technological consequences despite no casualties. The second trend means that there will be more to impact; greater negative effects from the urban bureaucracies and heterogeneous sub‐cultures that characterize metropolitan areas; more vulnerable populations; and traditional communities are becoming less important as units for disaster planning. Some possible positive effects of other trends, such as the increasing importance of the mass media and the democratization of political activities, are unlikely to balance the negative effects of industrialization and urbanization.

The terms "sheltering" and "housing" are used in a variety of unclear and inconsistent ways in the disaster literature. Proposes a differentiation among emergency sheltering, temporary sheltering, temporary housing and permanent housing. Indicates how they are paid differential attention in American disaster planning and gives specific observations about the four patterns, noting especially how they differ from one another. Suggests there will be a future increase in problems in all the patterns, and that it is not yet fully established to what extent these patterns are applicable in all types of societies.

Some social science literature conceptualizes disasters and riots together, treating the two phenomena as involving but one relatively homogeneous type of social crisis. This is only valid if the pre‐, trans and post‐impact behaviours in such consensus and conflict occasions are roughly the same. This assumption is examined by comparing the similarities and differences between what occurs in community disasters and riots as these have been reported in empirical studies, looking at behaviours appearing at the individual, organizational and community levels. Significant differences have been found supporting the notion that consensus‐type crises such as disasters ought to be conceptualized as a different social category than riots.

States that on the global scene, but particularly in modern
societies, we are inevitably faced with more and worse disasters in the
future because of the industrialization and urbanization inherent in the
very structure of modern social life. Industrialization almost assures
that disaster agents and occasions will increase. Urbanization is
raising the risks and vulnerabilities of affected populations and
societies. Posits that to recognize these upcoming transmutations in
disasters is not to argue that nothing can be done by way of disaster
planning. Argues that a clear recognition of the reality of what is very
likely to occur in the twenty‐first century will allow more effective
and efficient disaster planning than we have had up to now.

Almost nothing has been written about the social historical emergence and development of social and behavioral research on disasters. This paper provides a description and a sociology of scientific knowledge analysis of the factors affecting the initiation of studies in the area in the United States. First, we note how disaster research on group and behavioral aspects of disasters had their roots, almost exclusively, in rather narrowly focused applied questions or practical concerns. Second, we point out how this led to certain kinds of selective emphases in terms of what and how the research was undertaken in the pioneering days, but with substantive consequences which we still see operative today.