Disaster behavior research in Greece : Review and prospects

ABSTRACT

This article is a review of the empirical research on disaster behavior in Greece during the last 35 years. Most of this was conducted by psychiatrists and other non.sociologists. It focused on the individual, rather than the organizational and institutional reactions, to earthquakes. Although a number of findings on the individual level are consistent with cetain theoretical notions regarding panic behavior and disaster subculture, more systematic and controlled research is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn. The article concludes with suggestions for promoting sociological disaster research by taking advantage of recent institutional developments in the areas of disaster planning, research and development, and professional sociology.(AU)