Human Behavior - Assignment Example

Sociological Explanations of Human Behavior Qn. 1. The sociological explanation as to why some people evacuate and others do not; during the event of a hurricane can be inferred from the response given before and after hurricane Katrina. The factors leading to evacuation or the failure to evacuate can be traced to the social stratification of the people living at New Orleans. The city has a remarkable income inequality, which is reflected or caused through a number of sociological differences. These differences include income and education differences, discrimination, residential segregation among people and established social networks (Anderson, 2005). At New Orleans, 11.7% are aged 65 and above, 27.9% of the people live below the poverty line; only 74.7% acquired highs school education, and 27.3% of the region’s households own cars. Further, a proportion more than the average of the residents suffer from disabilities, and about 74.4% of the residents were born, and have lived in the area, for the larger part of their lives (Anderson, 2005). These factors point out that most of the residents that did not evacuate, out of the total 500,000 were in many ways rooted in the region, more than those that had come into the area. Further, the plans of evacuating the region were greatly shaped by the age, income distribution, access to transport, access to information sources, health and the physical mobility of residents, the occupations of residents and the social networks that extend outside the area (Anderson, 2005). The evacuation of the middle and upper classes was easier, because they only needed to visit a family of friend out of the city, or booking a hotel out of the region. These groups evacuated within 24-48 hours before the hurricane hit, after getting the information about the evacuation from the radio, television, e-mail, internet, or telephone calls (Anderson, 2005). Different from the high-income group, low income earners had less options on the ways to prepare for the hurricane. This case was worsened by the fact that it came during a month end; therefore those living on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis did not have the resources required for them to evacuate the area. Further, most of the low-income earners are less likely to own private vehicles, which made evacuating the area during the voluntary time more difficult. This group is more likely to have relied on the information from radio and television, which offered notifications – only during the last 48 hours before the storm (Filosa, 2005). The worst hit group was among those living at the neighborhoods, where nationally subsidized housing was available, because they were the least capable of evacuating the city, without the assistance of the government or other sources. Regardless of the stratification of evacuation on the basis of income, the elderly or those suffering from disabilities and chronic illnesses from the different social stratums were less likely to evacuate the area (Meet the Press, 2005). Evacuation patterns were influenced by the work of different groups, because officials like police, doctors, and hospital employees had to remain at the city, so as to offer their services (Massey, 1999). Another factor that shapes evacuates patterns is the social networks of people, because different groups evacuated due to the help they got from relatives and friends, who would offer them shelter, food, and other needs while out of the city (Massey, 1999). The groups that did not have such relationships outside the city were among the last groups to evacuate the city. Qn. 2. Large evacuations are difficult for governments to manage, because disasters result in many social and economic consequences among the victims (Wilson, et al., 2008). The major problem comes in determining the level to which the individual citizens should act, in addressing the situation, and where the government should come in to help. This case is explainable on the basis of social conflict theory, because society views that the government is likely to act when high value groups, like the areas dominated by rich people are affected. From the case of America, there are more than thirteen agencies that offer disaster relief services. Therefore, the magnitude of the disaster makes the case more difficult for the government to handle (Lindell and Perry, 2000). Large evacuations are difficult for the government, because many factors should be taken into account, which can be explained using interpretive theory. The explanation includes that the action of the government is sometimes blocked. One example is the case where the logistical needs of the different groups differ, where uncertainties limit the capacity of the government to evaluate and analyze the situation. For example, the lack of disaster preparedness among the members of the community makes it more difficult for the government to identify the needs, let alone to serve them (Lindell and Perry, 2000). Large evacuations are difficult for the government, because many members of society are likely to disregard the calls for evacuation. One example is that of hurricane Katrina, when many people disregarded mandatory warnings to evacuate, leading to their demise (Wilson, et al., 2008). This problem is worsened by the reaction of people to disasters, because they ordinarily take time to conceive the threat and to develop confidence in the authorities communicating the disaster. In the process, the disaster hits, and all planning processes becomes worthless, because the magnitude of government preparation requires further preparation. This case is explained on the basis of the positivism philosophy, which explains that humans are more likely to accept what they consider scientific knowledge, therefore will disregard warnings (Wilson, et al., 2008). Qn. 3. Social conflict theory states that the people within the society are constantly in a struggle over the control of valued resources in the community, and the result of the struggle turned some people into capitalists, who exploit the rest. The low rates of evacuation before a hurricane can be explained on the basis of the dominance of the high-income group on the low-income members of society (Massey, 1999). From the case of Hurricane Katrina, the wealthy were able to use the available means of transport to their advantage, while the poor were left at the area, and many were affected by the disaster. Towards increasing the evacuation process, the government should have acted in the shortest time possible, channeling resources into the evacuation of low-income earners. In the case of the high-earners, the government would engage effective communication, offering them directives on safe ways to exit the area, and safe grounds where they could settle, among those who did not have a destination in mind. In applying these suggestions, the government would split the population into different classes, depending on their sociological needs, so that they can identify the population that was unable to evacuate due to the lack of the resources required. Intepretivism theory explains that society is a product of the daily interactions of the members of society, therefore the society is chiefly the shared values and the reality developed during these interactions (Bell, 2008). Using this theory, the low rates of evacuation can be explained on the grounds of the social interactions that kept many people tied to the area affected by hurricane Katrina. Further, due to the lifestyle of the poor who are considerably immobile, evacuation was a difficult task, therefore they chose to stay. Towards increasing the evacuation rates, under this sociological model, the government should have explored the shared value among the different groups, so as to understand the particular needs of the different groups. The government would also have increased the evacuation process through engaging the community in the identification of the groups that were needy in the society, who would not evacuate due to the lack of information or the resources required. Positivism theory states that people only consider information authentic, on the grounds that is based on scientific explanation and evidence. This theory explains the skepticism of the people affected by hurricane Katrina, because, in the case they had regarded the warnings seriously – without judging its scientific nature, may victims would be saved (Bell, 2008). Towards increasing the levels of evacuation, the government and other organizations like NGOs should have used authoritative communicators to spread the information about the evacuation. An example of an authoritative source would be using advertisements, where weather institutions reported the information on evacuation. The second solution would entail employing all available sources of communication to spread the information, paying attention to the different groups, and the sources that can reach them. Through using authoritative channels targeted at the different groups, the people would have received the information in a timely manner, and from trusted channels. Qn. 4. The study to examine evacuations will entail identifying the major considerations taken into account during evacuation, gather information on current evacuation processes and develop criteria for the review of evacuation plans (Berg, 2009). The study will also entail doing on-site dialogue with local and state emergency officials, evaluating plan, identify best practices and lessons learnt and lastly develop recommendations to improve evacuation plans. The evaluation questions to be asked. Does the plan offer directions and management of catastrophic evacuations? Does the plan incorporate all evaluation considerations, including communication, decision-making, shelter, transport and special needs? Does the evacuation plan define the methods and the provisions for informing citizens that evacuation may be required? Does the plan define the provisions required for the evacuation of special groups, including prisons and patients? Does the plan incorporate the development of mutual aid with other nations? Does the plan entail the training of volunteers, including in the areas of drills? This method was used, because it will offer detailed information about the processes involved in evacuations plans and the provisions made for change. For example, through asking the questions, the considerations incorporated into evacuation will be understood clearly. The study will cover all local and national authorities in charge of evacuations at Florida (Berg, 2009). Time Table 1st day: identify major components of plans and the implementation of evacuation 2nd day: review current practices of evacuation 3rd day: Develop a planned criteria of evaluation 4th day: Evaluating written plans 5th day: conduct site visits, where best practices and lessons learnt will be evaluated Budget Item Cash (USD) Administrative cost 200 Travel 300 Staff salaries 500 Supplies and equipment 500 Total 1500 Reference List Anderson, E. (2005). Evacuation Scramble Puts Contraflow Plan to the Test. New Orleans Times-Picayune (Monday, August 29). Bell, D. (2008). Constructing Social Theory. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Berg, B. (2009). Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. Seventh Edition. Boston MA: Pearson Education Inc. Filosa, G. (2005). At Least 10,000 Find Refuge at the Superdome. New Orleans Times-Picayune (Monday, August 29). Lindell, M. K., and Perry, R. W. (2000). Household adjustment to earthquake hazard: A review of research. Environment & Behaviour, 32, 461–501. Massey, D. (1999). “Why Does Immigration Occur? A Theoretical Synthesis.” The Handbook of International Migration: the American Experience, Charles Hirschman, Philip Kasinitz, and Josh DeWind, editors. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. Meet the Press. (2005). Transcript for September 4. Interview with Aaron Broussard. (Sept. 4). Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9179790/ Wilson, S., Temple, B., Milliron, M., Vazquez, C., Packard, M. and Rudy, B. (2008). The Lack of Disaster Preparedness by the Public and it's Affect on Communities. The Internet Journal of Rescue and Disaster Medicine, 7(2). Read More