Unique Presentation Identifier:
V10
Program Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor
Bethany Swindell
Document Type
Poster
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Location
Online
Start Date
29-4-2025 8:00 AM
Abstract
Disasters, whether natural, like hurricanes and tornadoes, or human-made, like industrial accidents and terrorist attacks can bring people together, but not always in the same way. This study explores how different types of disasters affect community solidarity and collective action. Specifically, it asks: How do community solidarity and collective action differ in response to natural versus human-made disasters?
To answer this question, the study will use interviews with adults who have personally experienced a disaster. Participants from different backgrounds will share their experiences, helping to identify common patterns in how communities come together (or don’t) after a crisis. The study will look at key factors like leadership, media coverage, and cultural and economic differences to understand what influences community responses.
Early findings suggest that natural disasters often unite people for longer periods because they affect everyone regardless of background. In contrast, human-made disasters can divide communities, especially if blame is involved. Other factors, such as government response, media influence, and existing community ties, also shape how people come together after a disaster. The results of this study can help improve disaster response efforts by providing insight into the social side of recovery.
Recommended Citation
Pack, Skyler, "From Crisis to Cohesion: How Different Disasters Influence Community Solidarity" (2025). ATU Student Research Symposium. 7.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_rs/2025/2025/7
Included in
From Crisis to Cohesion: How Different Disasters Influence Community Solidarity
Online
Disasters, whether natural, like hurricanes and tornadoes, or human-made, like industrial accidents and terrorist attacks can bring people together, but not always in the same way. This study explores how different types of disasters affect community solidarity and collective action. Specifically, it asks: How do community solidarity and collective action differ in response to natural versus human-made disasters?
To answer this question, the study will use interviews with adults who have personally experienced a disaster. Participants from different backgrounds will share their experiences, helping to identify common patterns in how communities come together (or don’t) after a crisis. The study will look at key factors like leadership, media coverage, and cultural and economic differences to understand what influences community responses.
Early findings suggest that natural disasters often unite people for longer periods because they affect everyone regardless of background. In contrast, human-made disasters can divide communities, especially if blame is involved. Other factors, such as government response, media influence, and existing community ties, also shape how people come together after a disaster. The results of this study can help improve disaster response efforts by providing insight into the social side of recovery.