1
Disaster Analysis Paper Assignment
Jero E Crowley
Liberty University
CJUS383: Behavioural Dimensions of Disaster (D01)
Professor. R. Paterson
11/17/2024
2
Disaster Analysis Paper Assignment Instructions
Overview
Natural disasters greatly influence human behavior. They also alter responses that may
be sociologically predictable within sociological theories, culture, and systems of governance
(Shoji et al., 2020). Therefore, impacts situating sociological theories, disaster disruption, and
adjustment are studied. These explain factors affecting this behavior, and finally, compare the
United States' response with that of other countries. Finally, these discussions are linked to the
Biblical perspective on care, perseverance, and sustainability.
Sociological Theories
Disasters are defined as Catastrophes, which are a set of processes that provoke
different reactions from people and groups of people. However, various theories help us
understand disasters in the real world. These theories are Structural Functionalism and Conflict
Theory. Structural Functionalism postulates that society is a complex of interrelated networks
that aim at balance. That is, when there is a disaster, the social structures, which are the
foundation of society, are destabilized. This theory emphasizes that the community should fight
the cause of the violation of order in an effort to restore order (Zhu et al., 2020). Structural
functionalism helps elucidate how societal members have to cope with disruptions and how
such systems must be reconstructed for stability in the future.
Conflict Theory seeks to explain the roles that social injustices play in the alleged disaster
experiences (Ma et al., 2020). The fundamental assertion of this theory is that disaster is not
equal opportunity. Disasters such as floods reveal that those with lesser income or belonging to
the societies’ less privileged groups turn out to be more vulnerable as a result of social injustice.
Conflict theory also explains how power, class, and race condition disasters and their
management.
3
Disaster, Disruption, and Adjustment
Disasters are, by their very nature, disturbance events in social, economic, and ecological
contexts. Based on understanding from the course text, disasters can be described as events
that disrupt the functioning of society and puts people in a position that requires them to
respond according to conditions that are constantly changing (Hong, Wan, Zhang, & Jiang,
2021). This leads to both short and long-term psychological, emotional, and logistical difficulties
as experienced by the victims.
Disruption emerges in different ways, such as the destruction of homes and the loss of
sources of employment. During such moments, there is a need for adaptation, which leaves
emotional damage to the affected people. However, adaptation is part and parcel of disaster
management and recovery systems across disasters. This leads to adjustments where people
will need to adapt to their new environment to survive. It is about the management, self-
recovery, and replenishment to get back on track.
For instance, After the devastating Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011, the affected
persons provided group support in reconstructing part of their community besides offering
emotional support and logistical assistance. This process of adjustment is regarded as a sign of
meeting the emotional and social needs for healing and revival.
Types of Human Behavior
According to psychological and sociological aspects of human behavior, disasters can be
broadly classified into several types whenever they occur. Some of the behaviors exhibited
during a disaster are generous behavior, frightened behavior, customized behavior, and
pathologic behavior. Selflessness signifies behaviors being performed at other’s convenience,
and reciprocity is not expected. This is commonly observed in communities during or
postdisaster (Hamilton et al., 2020). People show up by supporting the needy in any way they
possibly can. This could be through providing food, shelter, and company. Such actions are best
4
illustrated by what has now become a redefined positive social cohesion that arises during a
crisis.
Influences on Human Behavior
It was observed that human action and human response are determined by factors that
are unique to every individual as well as factors within society (Meechang et al., 2020). Personal
factors, including personality, past experiences, and psychological strength, play an important
part in determining an individual's reaction to the disaster. Intervening on the sub-societal level,
social networks, government policies, and the role of the media are important factors that
influence this. The findings demonstrate that it is through social networks that people get
information for support emotionally as well as logistically during catastrophes.
Comparison of United States to Other National Response
There is a big difference in disaster response in the United States and other countries.
These differences are in terms of Government stewardship, community-centeredness, and
Recovery framework. For example, Japan was very ready and responded well to the 2011
earthquake and tsunami events. Their readiness to respond lessened the loss of lives and
ensured quick aftermath. On the other hand, the hurricane that struck the United States in 2005
unveiled many problems in operational disaster response. The variations in these responses are
attributed to variations in the level of national readiness, cultural perceptions of disaster and
mitigation, and the levels of fairness across nations.
Biblical Worldview
From the Christian point of view, reaction to disasters emanates from Biblical doctrines.
It requires sympathy, citing a call for help. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke
10:25-37, for instance, the need to assist someone in distress, out of whatever background and
circumstance he/she may be in. This is a major doctrine that can be related to sacrifice, as in the
case of disasters where many are supposed to put the well-being of others before their lives. It
5
was upon the Christians to take the initiative to minimize damage and ensure that future
generations would not face unnecessary disasters.
Conclusion
Disasters wield strong influences on people's behaviors and sociological frameworks.
These are indispensable in both individuals' and societies' responses to such dangers. The
interplays of social frameworks, inequalities, and principles of culture map out the nature of the
responses. Individual and social variables interactively determine patterns of action in responses
to disasters, whether charitable, panic, adaptive, or maladaptive. The biblical notion and
perception about disaster is based on mercy, resilience and stewardship.
References
Hamilton, K., Demant, D., Peden, A. E., & Hagger, M. S. (2020). A systematic review of human
behavior in and around floodwater. International journal of disaster risk reduction, p. 47,
101561.
Hong, B., Bonczak, B. J., Gupta, A., & Kontokosta, C. E. (2021). Measuring inequality in
community resilience to natural disasters using large-scale mobility data. Nature
communications, 12(1), 1870.
King James Bible. (2017).). In James Bible Online. ttps://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org.
(Original work published 1769).
Ma, H., Chiu, Y. H., Tian, X., Zhang, J., & Guo, Q. (2020). Safety or travel: Which is more
important? The impact of disaster events on tourism. Sustainability, 12(7), 3038.
Meechang, K., Leelawat, N., Tang, J., Kodaka, A., & Chintanapakdee, C. (2020). The
acceptance of using information technology for disaster risk management: A systematic
review. Engineering Journal, 24(4), 111-132.
Shoji, M., Takafuji, Y., & Harada, T. (2020). Behavioral impact of disaster education: Evidence
6
from a dance-based program in Indonesia. International journal of disaster risk
reduction, 45, 101489.
Zhu, R., Lin, J., Becerik-Gerber, B., & Li, N. (2020). Human-building-emergency interactions
and their impact on emergency response performance: A review of the state of the art.
Safety Science, 127, 104691.
