1. A Michael Middleton PresentationA Michael Middleton Presentation

2. Environmental Psychology:Environmental Psychology:
How Environmental Disasters AffectHow Environmental Disasters Affect
the Psychethe Psyche

3. Environmental Psychology Defined:Environmental Psychology Defined:
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A broad and interdisciplinary field of studyA broad and interdisciplinary field of study
concentrating on the relationship betweenconcentrating on the relationship between
humans and their environment.humans and their environment.
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Sustainability issues have pushed theSustainability issues have pushed the
boundaries of this field of study. It now moreboundaries of this field of study. It now more
fully incorporates the effects of humans onfully incorporates the effects of humans on
their environment as well as the environmenttheir environment as well as the environment
on them. Technology and societal issueson them. Technology and societal issues
factor heavily in this field of psychology.factor heavily in this field of psychology.

4. ““...an encounter between a hazard (forces of...an encounter between a hazard (forces of
harm) and a human population in harm's way,harm) and a human population in harm's way,
influenced by the ecological context, creatinginfluenced by the ecological context, creating
demands that exceed the coping capacity of thedemands that exceed the coping capacity of the
affected community”affected community” (Ursano, 69).(Ursano, 69).
A Definition of Disaster.A Definition of Disaster.

5. Consider the implications of that definition.Consider the implications of that definition.

6. Two Types of DisastersTwo Types of Disasters
NaturalNatural
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EarthquakesEarthquakes
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TornadoesTornadoes
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FloodsFloods
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HurricanesHurricanes
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FiresFires
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TsunamiTsunami
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AvalancheAvalanche
Human-MadeHuman-Made
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TerrorismTerrorism
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Oil SpillsOil Spills
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Chemical leaksChemical leaks
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NuclearNuclear
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MiningMining
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WarWar
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TechnologicalTechnological

7. Two Types of DisastersTwo Types of Disasters
NaturalNatural
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EarthquakesEarthquakes
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TornadoesTornadoes
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FloodsFloods
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HurricanesHurricanes
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FiresFires
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TsunamiTsunami
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AvalancheAvalanche
Human-MadeHuman-Made
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TerrorismTerrorism
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Oil SpillsOil Spills
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Chemical leaksChemical leaks
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NuclearNuclear
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MiningMining
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WarWar
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TechnologicalTechnological

8. Disasters Overlap as TechnologyDisasters Overlap as Technology
Advances.Advances.
Ask yourself how many of the examples given inAsk yourself how many of the examples given in
the previous slide occurred during thethe previous slide occurred during the
Fukushima Earthquake in Japan? Are thereFukushima Earthquake in Japan? Are there
more examples that aren't listed?more examples that aren't listed?

9. External Events That Can Help induceExternal Events That Can Help induce
Trauma in Disaster VictimsTrauma in Disaster Victims
““destruction of their dwelling, substantial property loss, loss ofdestruction of their dwelling, substantial property loss, loss of
job, exposure to traumatic stimuli, familiarity andjob, exposure to traumatic stimuli, familiarity and
identification with victims, worry about safety of significantidentification with victims, worry about safety of significant
others, stress reactions of significant others, preexistingothers, stress reactions of significant others, preexisting
stress, major trauma or loss especially within the laststress, major trauma or loss especially within the last year,year,
lack of social support, lack of material support, and poorlack of social support, lack of material support, and poor
coping skillscoping skills based on past experiences” (Myers, 42).based on past experiences” (Myers, 42).

10. External Events That Can Help induceExternal Events That Can Help induce
Trauma in Victims dealing with violentTrauma in Victims dealing with violent
Disasters.Disasters.
““Lack of warning, lack of familiarity, weapons that can't beLack of warning, lack of familiarity, weapons that can't be
easily seen or identified, a wide spread perception thateasily seen or identified, a wide spread perception that
government response systems aregovernment response systems are not prepared, seriousnot prepared, serious
threat to personal safety, a sudden change in scene andthreat to personal safety, a sudden change in scene and
realityreality (such as a building being there one moment and(such as a building being there one moment and
destroyed the next), the scope of destruction, the amount ofdestroyed the next), the scope of destruction, the amount of
fatalities, exposure tofatalities, exposure to gruesome or grotesque situations,gruesome or grotesque situations,
intentional human causality, intensity of emotions andintentional human causality, intensity of emotions and
psychological reactions, high degree of uncertainty, lack ofpsychological reactions, high degree of uncertainty, lack of
personal control or accurate information, immediate or longpersonal control or accurate information, immediate or long
term healthterm health problems”problems” (Myers, 239-246).(Myers, 239-246).

11. Post Traumatic Stress DisorderPost Traumatic Stress Disorder
Criterion according to the DSMCriterion according to the DSM

12. Criterion A: StressorCriterion A: Stressor
The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in whichThe person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which
both of the following have been present:both of the following have been present:
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The person has experienced, witnessed, or been confrontedThe person has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted
with an event or events that involve actual or threatened deathwith an event or events that involve actual or threatened death
or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of oneselfor serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of oneself
or others.or others.
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The person's response involved intense fear,helplessness, orThe person's response involved intense fear,helplessness, or
horror. Note: in children, it may be expressed instead byhorror. Note: in children, it may be expressed instead by
disorganized or agitated behavior.disorganized or agitated behavior.

13. What disaster events might cause someone toWhat disaster events might cause someone to
experience symptoms of Criterion (A) ?experience symptoms of Criterion (A) ?

14. Criterion B: Intrusive RecollectionCriterion B: Intrusive Recollection
The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in at least one of theThe traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in at least one of the
following ways:following ways:
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Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event, includingRecurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event, including
images, thoughts, or perceptions. Note: in young children, repetitive playimages, thoughts, or perceptions. Note: in young children, repetitive play
may occur in which themes or aspects of the trauma are expressed.may occur in which themes or aspects of the trauma are expressed.
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Recurrent distressing dreams of the event. Note: in children, there may beRecurrent distressing dreams of the event. Note: in children, there may be
frightening dreams without recognizable contentfrightening dreams without recognizable content
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Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring (includes a senseActing or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring (includes a sense
of reliving the experience, illusions, hallucinations, and dissociativeof reliving the experience, illusions, hallucinations, and dissociative
flashback episodes,including those that occur upon awakening or whenflashback episodes,including those that occur upon awakening or when
intoxicated). Note: in children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur.intoxicated). Note: in children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur.
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Intense psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues thatIntense psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that
symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event.symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event.
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Physiologic reactivity upon exposure to internal or external cues thatPhysiologic reactivity upon exposure to internal or external cues that
symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic eventsymbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event

15. What events might cause these symptoms outside of a warWhat events might cause these symptoms outside of a war
environment?environment?

16. Criterion C: avoidant/numbingCriterion C: avoidant/numbing
Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing ofPersistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of
general responsiveness (not present before the trauma), as indicated by atgeneral responsiveness (not present before the trauma), as indicated by at
least three of the following:least three of the following:
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Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with theEfforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the
traumatrauma
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Efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that arouse recollections of theEfforts to avoid activities, places, or people that arouse recollections of the
traumatrauma
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Inability to recall an important aspect of the traumaInability to recall an important aspect of the trauma
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Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activitiesMarkedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities
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Feeling of detachment or estrangement from othersFeeling of detachment or estrangement from others
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Restricted range of affect (e.g., unable to have loving feelings)Restricted range of affect (e.g., unable to have loving feelings)
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Sense of foreshortened future (e.g., does not expect to have a career,Sense of foreshortened future (e.g., does not expect to have a career,
marriage, children, or a normal life span)marriage, children, or a normal life span)

17. Have you experienced one of these symptoms?Have you experienced one of these symptoms?
How might it feel to experience three of themHow might it feel to experience three of them
simultaneously?simultaneously?

18. Criterion D: hyper-arousalCriterion D: hyper-arousal
Persistent symptoms of increasing arousal (not present before thePersistent symptoms of increasing arousal (not present before the
trauma), indicated by at least two of the following:trauma), indicated by at least two of the following:
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Difficulty falling or staying asleepDifficulty falling or staying asleep
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Irritability or outbursts of angerIrritability or outbursts of anger
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Difficulty concentratingDifficulty concentrating
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Hyper-vigilanceHyper-vigilance
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Exaggerated startle responseExaggerated startle response

19. Though rape may not be immediately thought ofThough rape may not be immediately thought of
as part of enviromental psychology,theseas part of enviromental psychology,these
symptoms are especially prevalent in rapesymptoms are especially prevalent in rape
victims.victims.
In a meta-analysis of 160 samples of disaster victims over 20In a meta-analysis of 160 samples of disaster victims over 20
years, it was found that in 94% of the samples, females wereyears, it was found that in 94% of the samples, females were
“more adversely impacted irrespective of if they were children,“more adversely impacted irrespective of if they were children,
adolescents, or adults...”adolescents, or adults...” (Myers, 58).(Myers, 58).

20. Criterion E: durationCriterion E: duration
Duration of the disturbance (symptoms in B, C, and D) is more thanDuration of the disturbance (symptoms in B, C, and D) is more than
one monthone month.

21. Often soldiers will fake normalcy in order toOften soldiers will fake normalcy in order to
continue with their duties making this criteriacontinue with their duties making this criteria
difficult to ascertain in their situationdifficult to ascertain in their situation.

22. Criterion F: functional significanceCriterion F: functional significance
The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairmentThe disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment
in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
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Specify if:Specify if:
Acute: if duration of symptoms is less than three monthsAcute: if duration of symptoms is less than three months
Chronic: if duration of symptoms is three months or moreChronic: if duration of symptoms is three months or more
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Specify if:Specify if:
With or Without delay onset: Onset of symptoms at least six monthsWith or Without delay onset: Onset of symptoms at least six months
after the stressorafter the stressor

23. Keep in mind that trauma can have varying effectKeep in mind that trauma can have varying effect
on different socioeconomic groups as well as ageon different socioeconomic groups as well as age
groups. Traumatic experiences do not necessarilygroups. Traumatic experiences do not necessarily
indicate a person will suffer from PTSD, but thereindicate a person will suffer from PTSD, but there
is a strong correlation between disaster eventsis a strong correlation between disaster events
and this particular disorder.and this particular disorder.

24. Questions to consider.Questions to consider.
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How might you react to an environmentalHow might you react to an environmental
disaster and how might that differ from otherdisaster and how might that differ from other
traumatic events?traumatic events?
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How are natural environmental disastersHow are natural environmental disasters
different from other disaster events such asdifferent from other disaster events such as
terrorism?terrorism?

25. Works CitedWorks Cited
Fullerton, Carol, and Robert Ursano.Fullerton, Carol, and Robert Ursano. Textbook of Disaster PsychiatryTextbook of Disaster Psychiatry. New York: Cambridge. New York: Cambridge
University Press, 2007. Print.University Press, 2007. Print.
Myers, Diane.Myers, Diane. Disaster Mental Health ServicesDisaster Mental Health Services. New York: Routledge Taylor& Francis Group,. New York: Routledge Taylor& Francis Group,
2005. Print.2005. Print.
"PTSD Screening Instruments.""PTSD Screening Instruments."United States Department of Veterans AffairsUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs. US Department of. US Department of
Veterans Affairs, 02 Nov 2012. Web. 4 Apr 2013.Veterans Affairs, 02 Nov 2012. Web. 4 Apr 2013.