David N. Sattler, Mary G. Adams, and Barrett Watts (1995).
Personal experience on judgments about natural disasters.
Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 10, 891-898.
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of personal experience with natural disasters on judgments about other natural disasters. Three months after Hurricane Andrew (southern Florida, 1992), 57 participants completed a questionnaire asking for information about experiences with Hurricane Hugo (Charleston, South Carolina, 1989), judgments about damage and psychological distress due to Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, and if they had donated supplies to the survivors of Hurricane Andrew. Results showed that participants who had experienced emotional distress or property damage due to Hurricane Hugo correctly estimated more property damage due to Hurricane Andrew than participants who did not experience emotional distress or property damage. Loss of property due to Hurricane Hugo was positively related to sending money and supplies to victims of Hurricane Andrew. Implications for disaster preparedness and assistance programs are discussed.