The psychology of emergencies and disasters is the branch of psychology that encompasses the study of the behavior and reaction mode of individuals, groups or human groups in the different phases of an emergency or disaster situation ”.
The psychologist working in this field is related to all kinds of professionals, such as technicians, doctors, social workers, sociologists, engineers, rescue and aid organizations such as the Red Cross, the police, the army, the civil defense, etc. The young branch of psychology is also closely linked to other areas of the study of behavior and mental processes.
However, a hazard can also be man-made. For example, a person can put other people at risk while driving under the influence of alcohol or speeding. The psychology of the emergency shows how, sometimes, the attitude that a person adopts in a dangerous situation can be more decisive than the situation itself.
Emergency psychology also looks at how many human accidents sometimes occur as a result of misplaced personal faults, the result of a lack of attention and concentration in detail.
When an emergency situation occurs, it is necessary to have a system of professionals who act in that emergency to mitigate the effects of the damage. For example, in the face of a natural catastrophe, it is essential to have a psychological team specialized in the treatment of natural disasters to help people assimilate the information, convey the message assertively and offer support. In this way, it is also possible to reduce the effects of a very painful trauma.
It is important to follow orderly and systematized guidelines so that communication with the people involved in the emergency or accident can tune in with us and understand the messages and instructions.
If communication is not effective in an emergency, we may be blocking the evolution of the victim's emotional state, delaying the recovery of the broken emotional balance and aggravating the initial psychological disorder.
Emergency psychology also explains that it is very important to provide the right tools so that people can act in an emergency situation. For example, simulations are conducted in many schools to inform students of how they should act in the event of a fire to evacuate the building, establish order, and minimize danger.
