Journal of Natural Disaster Science

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LEADERS IN A SIMULATED FIRE

Osamu HAYASHI
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Department of Psychology

(Received 9 October 1991 and in revised form 16 July 1992)

Abstract

In times of disaster, the behavior of the leaders vary, as well as that of the refugees. Differences among leaders must therefore be considered when disaster prevention plans are made. It is also important that not all of refugees obey their leaders.

The behavior of the leaders as shown by a simulation model is discussed. In the model, many refugees are grouped and one subject leads them. Some refugees obey the subject, others do not.

A subject's behavior is structured according to the subject's own attitude. Those who do not obey the official leaders follow a pattern in which the subject fights the fire while the refugees escape. Those who do not obey the official leaders also show a pattern of sharing the role of leading the refugees with an informal leader. This pattern does not occur in the behavior structure of those who obey the official leader.

Key words

disaster, escaping behavior, simulation