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Rising to the Challenges of a Catastrophe: The Emergent and Prosocial Behavior following Hurricane Katrina

Author

Listed:
  • Havidán Rodríguez

    (Disaster Research Center, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware)

  • Joseph Trainor

    (Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice)

  • Enrico L. Quarantelli

    (Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware)

Abstract

Using several data sources including an extensive database of media reports and a series of government documents, but relying primarily on the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center’s field research in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the authors describe the nontraditional behavior that emerged in that catastrophe. They also discuss the prosocial behavior (much of it emergent) that was by far the primary response to this event, despite widespread media reports of massive antisocial behavior. Their study focuses on individual and group reactions in Louisiana during the first three weeks following the hurricane. The authors limit their systematic analyses of emergent behavior to five groupings: hotels, hospitals, neighborhood groups, rescue teams, and the Joint Field Office. Their analysis shows that most of the improvisations undertaken helped in dealing with the various problems that continued to emerge following Katrina. The various social systems and the people in them rose to the demanding challenges of a catastrophe.

Suggested Citation

  • Havidán Rodríguez & Joseph Trainor & Enrico L. Quarantelli, 2006. "Rising to the Challenges of a Catastrophe: The Emergent and Prosocial Behavior following Hurricane Katrina," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 604(1), pages 82-101, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:604:y:2006:i:1:p:82-101
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716205284677
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    Cited by:

    1. Pathak, Prakash & Schündeln, Matthias, 2022. "Social hierarchies and the allocation of development aid: Evidence from the 2015 earthquake in Nepal," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    2. Eunbin Chung & Inbok Rhee, 2022. "Disasters and intergroup peace in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 59(1), pages 58-72, January.
    3. KASHIWAGI Yuzuka & TODO Yasuyuki, 2021. "How Do Disasters Change Inter-Group Perceptions? Evidence from the 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake," Discussion papers 21082, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    4. Lili Wang & Nazife Emel Ganapati, 2018. "Disasters and Social Capital: Exploring the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Gulf Coast Counties," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 99(1), pages 296-312, March.
    5. Chunli Wei & Qingqing Li & Ziyi Lian & Yijun Luo & Shiqing Song & Hong Chen, 2022. "Variation in Public Trust, Perceived Societal Fairness, and Well-Being before and after COVID-19 Onset—Evidence from the China Family Panel Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Russell E. Browder & Stella Seyb & Angela Forgues & Howard E. Aldrich, 2023. "Pandemic Makers: How Citizen Groups Mobilized Resources to Meet Local Needs in a Global Health Crisis," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(3), pages 964-997, May.
    7. Ronit Yitshaki & Fredric Kropp & Benson Honig, 2022. "The Role of Compassion in Shaping Social Entrepreneurs’ Prosocial Opportunity Recognition," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(2), pages 617-647, August.

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