Sociology of disaster explained

Sociology of disaster or sociological disaster research^[1] is a sub-field of sociology that explores the social relations amongst both natural and human-made disasters. Its scope includes local, national, and global disasters - highlighting these as distinct events that are connected by people through created displacement, trauma, and loss. These connections, whether that is as a survivor, working in disaster management, or as a perpetrator role, is non-discrete and a complex experience that is sought to be understood through this sub-field.^{[2] [3]} Interdisciplinary in nature, the field is closely linked with environmental sociology and sociocultural anthropology.

Overview

Many studies in the field of sociology of disaster focus on the link between social solidarity and the vulnerabilities exposed by disasters. Scholarship in this field has observed how such events can produce both social solidarity^{[4] [5]} and social conflict,^{[6] [7]} and more importantly, expose inequalities inherent in the social order by exponentially exacerbating its effects. Studies investigating the emotional impact of disaster state that the emotional responses in these contexts are inherently adaptive. These emotions, when reflected on and processed, lead to post traumatic growth, resilience, increased altruism, and engagement with community.^[8]

Early disaster research established the mainstream parameters of what it is to do such research - i.e. a focus on solidarity arising in the aftermath of disasters and that disasters are a consequence of human maladaptation to the hazardous environment.^[9]

References

1. Book: Matthewman, Steve. Disasters, risks and revelation : making sense of our times. Palgrave Macmillan. 2015. 978-1-137-29426-5. London. 922951332.
2. Book: Drabek, Thomas E.. The Sociology of Disaster : Fictional Explorations of Human Experiences.. 2019. Routledge. 978-1-000-65170-6. Milton. 1117636158.
3. Book: Tierney, Kathleen J.. Disasters : a sociological approach. Polity. 2019. 978-0-7456-7101-7. Cambridge, UK. 1043053190.
4. Book: Drabek, Thomas E.. Human system responses to disaster : an inventory of sociological findings. 1986. Springer-Verlag. 0-387-96323-5. New York. 13859518.
5. Book: Dynes, Russell Rowe. Organized Behavior in Disaster: Analysis and Conceptualization. 1969. Disaster Research Center, Ohio State University. en.
6. Book: Barry, John M.. Rising tide : the great Mississippi flood of 1927 and how it changed America. 1997. Simon & Schuster. 0-684-81046-8. New York. 36029662.
7. Book: Fradkin, Philip L.. The great earthquake and firestorms of 1906 : how San Francisco nearly destroyed itself. 2005. 0-520-23060-4. Berkeley. 56128573.
8. Kieft. J.. Bendell. J. 2021. The responsibility of communicating difficult truths about climate influenced societal disruption and collapse: an introduction to psychological research. Institute for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS) Occasional Papers. 7. 1–39.
9. Fischer . Henry W. . The Sociology of Disaster: Definitions, Research Questions, and Measurements. Continuation of the Discussion in a Post-September 11 Environment . International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters . 21 . 1 . March 2003 . 91–107 . 10.1177/028072700302100104 . 255732224 . .

Further reading

• Lars Clausen: "Social Differentiation and the Long-Term Origin of Disasters", Natural Hazards, 1992 (VI), No. 2, p. 181-190, ISSN 0921-030X
• Enrico Quarantelli (ed.): What Is A Disaster? London: Routledge 1998
• Fu, Albert S. (2016). "Connecting urban and environmental catastrophe: linking natural disaster, the built environment, and capitalism." Environmental Sociology, 2 (4), 365–374.
• Fothergill, A., & Peek, L. A. (2004). Poverty and disasters in the United States: A review of recent sociological findings. Natural hazards, 32(1), 89-110.
• Schorr . John K. . Some Contributions German Katastrophen-Soziologie Can Make to the Sociology of Disaster - International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters . International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters . August 1987 . 5 . 2 . 115–135 . 10.1177/028072708700500202 . 147509735 . .
• Tierney, K. J. (2007). From the margins to the mainstream? Disaster research at the crossroads. Annu. Rev. Sociol., 33, 503–525.