Be aware of gap between recognition and action to improve disaster preparedness
When someone is faced with disaster, gaps between their recognition and action intensify damage - this fact has attracted attention since the Great East Japan Earthquake. A mental function called 'normalcy bias' is one of the factors. 'Bias' is assumption and prejudice. Everyone tries to stay calm when they encounter some trouble by assuming "it's ok - no problem." It is called the mind's stabilizing function. This normalcy bias function prevents us from being too concerned by the small stuff. However, in cases of disaster and emergency, normalcy bias incurs delayed evacuation and increased damage.
When someone is faced with disaster, gaps between their recognition and action intensify damage - this fact has attracted attention since the Great East Japan Earthquake. A mental function called 'normalcy bias' is one of the factors. 'Bias' is assumption and prejudice. Everyone tries to stay calm when they encounter some trouble by assuming "it's ok - no problem." It is called the mind's stabilizing function. This normalcy bias function prevents us from being too concerned by the small stuff. However, in cases of disaster and emergency, normalcy bias incurs delayed evacuation and increased damage.