Course Description

People in Disasters

Learn about a century of research on how people perceive risk, make decisions, and respond under stress and the myths about human behavior that still get in the way.
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course contents

What's included?

Key Research

Explore foundational work from Quarantelli, Tierney, Lindell and Perry, and others on panic, risk perception, collective behavior, and decision-making.

Disaster Behavior Myths

See how disaster research challenges common assumptions about panic, helplessness, and how people behave under extreme stress.

Disaster Science Applied

Translate the science of human behavior in disasters into practical insight for communication, planning, and response. Understand what people are actually likely to do and how better assumptions can lead to better decisions.
Meet the instructor

Shannon McNamee

As an expert in disaster management, Shannon is particularly interested in how to enable individuals and communities in disasters. In her classes, she provides the tools and disaster literacy to help build better disaster management programs. 
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