Emergent Behavior at the Emergency Time Periods of Disasters
Abstract
Data were obtained directly from two in-depth and five other field studies; additional data were indirectly gathered through gathered from approximately two dozen other disasters in which there was emergent social phenomena. The major conclusion was that while emergent groups are relatively rare, there is substantial emergent behavior in existing groups. A four fold typology of emergent behavior was derived from the data, and all organized behavior in disasters was seen as taking one of seven different forms. Four factors or conditions associated with emergence were tentatively identified. Among the implications for disaster planning noted, was the need to recognize that emergence is a pervasive feature of organized responses to disasters, that all such emergence is not necessarily dysfunctional, that some kinds of emergence can be preplanned, and the improvisations might actually be built into pre-disaster practices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA137606
Entities
People
- E. L. Quarantelli
Organizations
- Ohio State University