Abstract

Starting from the importance of risk perception for taking certain preventive measures to protect people and their property from disasters, the subject of the research is to examine the factors influencing public perception of mythically-based human behavior in disaster conditions. Using the random sampling method, 250 adult respondents were surveyed in the city of Belgrade, using a specially created and adapted survey questionnaire. The results of the research show that there is no statistically significant influence of gender, age, educational and economic factors on the public perception of human behavior in disaster conditions. The results of the research can be used to improve strategies and campaigns based on risk assessment, aimed at improving the safety of people in disasters.

Conclusions

Examining the factors that influence the public perception of mythically-based human behavior in disaster conditions, preconditions have been created for further improvement of the theoretical and empirical fund of scientific knowledge about human behavior in such situations. Myths about human behavior in disaster conditions are a topic that hasn’t been sufficiently addressed, and there are several scientific papers in the scientific literature which give an overview of the most current myths about human behavior and reactions of certain services during disasters. Because the consequences of mythically-based human behavior are unfavorable for the entire system of protection and rescue of the people of the Republic of Serbia, it’s necessary to pay more attention to this topic starting from its establishment, organization, efficient functioning and training, for the need to organize effective disaster protection, because the fact is, many disasters can’t be avoided, but their consequences can be significantly reduced. People’s awareness in the field of disasters is at a low level in the Republic of Serbia, so it’s necessary to provide continuous education. This time, they must be allies and help educate people to raise their level of awareness of undesirable behaviors during disasters and ways to eradicate them. In the future, people should acquire basic knowledge in the field of disasters, because it would help them in their daily functioning. If manuals or reminders for dealing with disasters would be in visible places in companies, and if there would be constant education and valorization of employees’ knowledge, it’s assumed that the level of knowledge about disasters would be satisfactory, therefore people’s behavior in disaster conditions would be supported by scientific facts.

How to cite

Reference – Cvetković, V., & Jovanović, M. (2020). Examination of the factors that influence public perception of mythically-based human behavior in disaster conditions. Glasnik Srpskog geografskog društva, 100(2), 161-179.