Sociology of Disaster: What It Is

Summary

This lecture on the sociology of disaster explores how communities are impacted by both natural and human-made disasters, focusing on the disruption of social structures rather than the disaster agents themselves. Key concepts include the definition of disasters, internally displaced persons (IDPs), collective social consciousness, and emergent social structures that arise to meet the community’s needs. The lecture emphasizes the sociologist’s role in studying social adjustments before, during, and after a disaster, highlighting the cycle of deconstruction and reconstruction, altruistic behaviors, and rapid social change. It underscores the importance of community-level responses and coordination by local, national, and international actors.

Takeaways

• 😀 Disasters are serious disruptions in society, causing widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses.
• 😀 Disasters exceed the ability of affected communities to cope using their own resources, often requiring outside assistance.
• 😀 Two types of disasters: human-made (e.g., Marawi siege, 2017) and natural (e.g., Typhoon Sendong, 2011).
• 😀 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are forced to flee their homes but remain within their country's borders.
• 😀 Sociology of disaster focuses on groups, not individuals, and examines the collective response to disasters.
• 😀 Social structure refers to the interconnected parts of society, and its disruption leads to emergent social structures during disasters.
• 😀 The collective social consciousness of a community helps guide its response to disaster, based on shared knowledge and beliefs.
• 😀 Sociologists study the disruption of everyday social activity caused by disasters, not the disasters themselves.
• 😀 Key sociological questions include: what changes occur in social structures during a disaster, and are these changes temporary or permanent?
• 😀 Disasters often lead to altruistic behaviors and social bonding among victims and responders, fostering community support.
• 😀 The process of deconstructing and reconstructing social structures during and after disasters leads to rapid social change.

Q & A

What is the definition of a disaster according to the lecture?

A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society, involving widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses that exceed the affected community's ability to cope using its own resources, often requiring outside assistance.

What are the two main types of disasters mentioned, and how do they differ?

The two main types are human-made disasters (e.g., Marawi siege, 2017) and natural disasters (e.g., Typhoon Sendong, 2011). Human-made disasters result from human actions, while natural disasters occur due to natural phenomena. Despite differing origins, both types can cause similar widespread impacts and losses.

Who are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)?

IDPs are individuals or groups forced to flee or leave their homes due to armed conflict, violence, human rights violations, or disasters. They remain within national borders and do not cross internationally recognized boundaries.

What is the focus of sociology in studying disasters?

Sociology focuses on the group response to disasters rather than the disaster itself. Sociologists study disruptions in everyday social activity, social structure changes, emergent behaviors, and collective social consciousness within affected communities.

What is meant by 'collective social consciousness' in the context of disasters?

Collective social consciousness refers to the set of shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and knowledge common to a social group or society, which shapes how the community collectively responds to disasters.

What is the role of a local emergency manager during a disaster?

A local emergency manager coordinates mitigation, planning, and response activities within the community, ensuring organized disaster response and support for affected individuals.

What is an 'emergent social structure'?

An emergent social structure is a new social organization or set of roles and norms that arises in response to a disaster, helping the community adapt and meet emergent needs. Initially emergent, it may later become institutionalized.

What is a 'precipitous event' in disaster sociology?

A precipitous event is the disaster event itself, whether human-made or natural, that causes widespread destruction, stress, and disruption among people and social structures.

How do disasters affect existing social structures?

Disasters disrupt existing social structures, leading to a cycle of deconstruction and reconstruction. New roles, norms, and social bonding emerge to help the community cope with the impact of the disaster.

What questions do sociologists consider when studying disasters?

Sociologists examine questions such as: What social structure changes will occur? When will they occur? Will they be temporary or permanent? What variables are associated with these changes? These questions help understand how communities adapt to disasters.

How does aid typically reach a community affected by a disaster?

Aid can arrive from multiple levels: neighboring communities, local municipalities, provincial and national authorities, and even international organizations, to help address widespread losses and support recovery.

Why is the community considered the 'unit of analysis' in disaster sociology?

The community is the unit of analysis because disasters affect groups collectively. Studying the community allows sociologists to understand social structure responses, emergent behaviors, and resource mobilization across cross-cultural and cross-national contexts.