Regional and Demographic Variations in Public Perceptions Related to Emergency Preparedness.
Abstract
This report contains new findings on public perceptions and attitudes related to civil defense and emergency management. The purpose of the research was to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency in understanding the frames of reference that would form the basis for engaging the interest and active participation of the American public and especially volunteers in emergency preparedness and public protection. To this end, this research offers new insights into how various segments of the public perceive certain emergencies and crises. The focus of attention is on public views and motivational dispositions that influence people's participation in and support of programs in the field of emergency preparedness. The findings presented in this report are based on a method which does not pose direct questions. People's views and belief systems are inferred from the distribution of hundreds of thousands of spontaneous free reactions. Our investigations were organized to provide management with new information and insights on how to reach various segments of the public by taking their dominant views and values into systematic consideration. The Associative Group Analysis method used in this volume reconstructs belief systems along their dominant priorities and main parameters of organization. Consequently, the information presented here focuses not on issues like the percentage of people who approve of civil defense preparedness but rather on how civil defense preparedness is viewed by various groups.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA194965
Entities
People
- Andres Inn
- Jean B. Strohl
- Lorand B. Szalay
- Shelley K. Vilov
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh