Author(s):
Harald Fiedler

Institution:
Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg

Title:
Recent contributions of scientific psychology to large scale event management and intervention strategies in mass disasters

Abstract:
Experimental research on mass psychology and accordingly on safety management at large scale events is difficult and hard to conduct. Until a few years ago psychological contribution years were essentially limited to field reports or handouts for practitioners, based on “felt”, casuistic personal assessments rather than on high-quality scientific studies. In this article we attempt to take an inventory of the contributions of scientific psychology in solving security problems at mass events. We find that at present the research field is dominated by physicists and mathematicians developing sophisticated simulations for disaster control planning and constructing. At last, we are presenting current efforts to include psychological aspects in interdisciplinary research projects, particularly with regard to #human factors# research.