Earthquakes on the Mind: Implications of Disasters for Human Performance

Objective: The present study explored the impact a natural disaster has on human performance. Background: Previous research indicates that traffic accidents increase after disasters. A plausible explanation for this finding is that disasters induce cognitive disruption and this disruption negatively affects performance (e.g., driving quality). Method: A total of 16 participants (7 men and 9 women) performed a sustained-attention-to-response task before and after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. Performance (errors of omission, errors of commission, and reaction time) was compared before and after the earthquake. Results: Errors of omission increased after the earthquake. Changes in errors of commission and reaction times were, however, dependent on individual differences in stress response to the earthquake. Conclusion: The results indicate that natural disasters may have a negative impact on performance. Application: Communities need to be aware of the increased risk of accidents following disasters and develop countermeasures, including individualized assessment tools.