Psychological Impact and Risk Communication

Presentation © 2003 Unconventional Concepts Inc. 1

Psychological Impact and

Risk Communicati

onScientific Advice, Crisis

Management and the MediaHotel Grand Bretagne

Athens, Greece9–10 June 2003

Michael J. Hopmeier, MSMEChief, Innovative and Unconventional

ConceptsUnconventional Concepts, Inc.

COL Boaz TadmorIsrael Defense Forces

Dr. Zohar RubinsteinTel Aviv University


World Trade Centers

Towers 1 and 2

New York City

September 11, 2001


Suicide Bombings


Psychological Definitions of Crisis/Disaster Situations

An external situation which presents a threat to a person or his/her relatives, interrupts the functional, cognitive and historical continuance amongst individuals, families, groups and the community.

—Home Front CommandIsrael Defense Forces


Orson Wells’ 1938 radio broadcast “War of the Worlds” resulted in pandemonium and paranoia

Coverage of recent terrorist events reveals that the media must strike a balance between informing the public and not contributing to psychological trauma

Psychological Trauma and Communication:Brief Overview


PTSD and the Effectsof Traumatic TV Images

Study by Ahern et al. (2002) found that people who were directly affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and who viewed disturbing TV images >7 times were 7 times more likely to develop PTSD

The same study found that 3.6% who were not directly affected by the attacks still developed PTSD from repeatedly watching disturbing TV images

Previous studies with children with direct involvement in the Oklahoma City bombing and Gulf War suggest a causal link between PTSD and watching violent images of events on TV


The Public Wants to “Do Something” Although duct tape defense provides minimal

physical protection, there is something to be said for the sense of psychological comfort created by having “done something” to prepare for a potential attack

However, a recent Harvard study found that 73% were aware of the posted high alert level (orange) but only 12% had developed an evacuation plan


Before the 2003 Iraq War

Israel Defense Forces Distributed protective kits (including gas

masks) to the entire Israeli population Informed the public how to create protected

and sealed spaces in dwellings Created an efficient medicine distribution

system and a nationwide alarm system

Home Front Command Launched an information campaign to educate

the public on what to expect and how to cope


Israeli Public Response

In spite of everything, as recently as 1 week before the outbreak of hostilities, compliance with safety directives was as low as 60%

The psychological impact of seeing the war progress and the nation’s emotional response (as measured by numerous polls) correlated almost perfectly


Communication andPsychological Impact

There is unquestionably a link Over 2,000 studies in the past 30 years on

children and exposure to TV violence find an increase in aggressive behavior

The long-term negative psychological effects of the media and disasters can be mitigated, but only with proper preparation


Anticipate what the audience wants to hear to allay fears Hurricane George in Puerto Rico in 1998

was an example of excellent communication with a constant flow of updated, accurate information

Communication clearly addressed the audience’s main concern: the hurricane’s impact on tourism, one of the island’s main industries

Mitigation


New York Times, October 28, 2001


Anthrax Scare

Negative psychological effects—fear and paranoia—are more damaging than anthrax

In April 1997, 17 employees at the B'nai Brith National Headquarters went to D.C.- area hospitals after feeling ill—tests later proved the substance they encountered was not anthrax

In fall 2001, 35 people in a Maryland subway reported nausea, sore throat, and headache after exposure to hoax “liquid anthrax” —window-cleaning fluid

“But in my opinion we need to protect the Americans not from anthrax, but from the feeling of fear... I'm serious... Panic is even worse than the disease." —Benjamin Cherkassky, a senior scientist at Moscow's Central Institute of Epidemiology


Anthrax Scare—Lessons Learned

Decisions had to be made rapidly in the absence of data

Access to subject matter experts was limited No “textbook” experience to guide a response Understanding of “risk” evolved as outbreak

unfolded Exaggerated or ambiguous risk assessment creates

elevated fear and establishes a sense of distrust among the public for future warnings

Advising the public not to panic induces the opposite response

Need a coherent, rapid process for addressing scientific issues in the midst of a crisis


Communication It is both information and education! It works both ways: to and from leadership

The principal source of intelligence and real-time planning information is the media!

The public depends on the media to provide background and guidance on how to react

It is vital both before and after an incident It prepares the public so they understand

what is happening It gives them instruction on how to respond to

what is happening


“Principles for Intervention amongst Disaster Stricken

Population” “’Help them help themselves’—Create a

feeling of competence “Create minimal dependence on formal and

external assistance “Channel the negative responses to positive

action “What appears as panic stricken civilians is

nothing other than unorganized activity, which can be organized”

—Home Front CommandIsrael Defense Forces


“Principles for Intervention amongst Disaster Stricken

Population” “Prevent or minimize secondary gains “Utilize the population as a resource “Secure initial success in order to build trust in

the community and authorities “Support the community with ongoing

information “What works in routine should work in an

emergency”—Home Front Command

Israel Defense Forces


Summary “Mob psychology” is the ruling factor We do not have enough resources to provide for

the public independently, so we must involve the public in its own protection

To do this, the members of the public must know how to protect themselves and be confident that they can

Using the media to educate people and quell their fears is the only practical way this can be done

Media should be considered on par with fire, police, and emergency medical personnel

The media can be your enemy if you work with them--they will be if you don’t!


We must all hang together or,most assuredly,

we shall surely hang separately!

—Benjamin Franklin

And Finally...

Psychological Impact and Risk Communication

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