Social Psychology in Society

On January 12, 2010 the search for survivors from the devastating earthquake in Haiti began. A current estimate suggests that upwards of 200,000 people may have perished, and efforts now turn to the approximately 3 million Haitians affected by the quake. They are in need of everything from medical care to housing, but most importantly food. Despite the outpouring of both monetary and other aid internationally, getting help to those in need has proven difficult [ (Ignarri, 2010) ].
Whenever natural disasters strikes, there follows an outpouring of humanity. We have a deeply evolved psychological need to help people who are suffering, especially when heart-rending images enter our home. The tear-streaked face of an orphaned child or the look of desperation in a father's eyes as he searches through rubble for his family touch our hearts. We are shaped by Darwinian natural selection to be empathetic. Most people never think about the reasons such behaviors have arisen in humans. In fact, there is often such a simplistic view of Darwin's theory that many people argue such generosity toward others, especially strangers, is impossible [ (Cornwell, 2010) ].
The days immediately following the hurricane or quake or other calamity, reporters warn of a generalized “fear” that desperate survivors may turn to violence and looting. Then, sure enough, reporters tell stories of violence and looting. Some are eye witness accounts by credible observers. Most are not. The thing is, in developed nations, we can say with some certainty that widespread, anti-social behavior almost never happens after a disaster. In fact, the opposite is true. People, like all animals, tend to form groups and show each other great courtesy in times of extreme shock and duress. People do this because it is in their interest. There was looting and some sporadic violence after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, but the mayhem never rose to a level that justified the amount of coverage. More people likely suffered because of the fear of looting and violence--due to delayed relief and search-and-rescue efforts and unnecessarily hostile encounters with police and armed, frightened civilians--than because of actual looting and violence [ (Ignarri, 2010) ].
Evolutionary theorists believe that a tendency to help is part of our human evolutionary heritage [ (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006) ]. The assistance provided from around the world is a representation of such. The selfless act of giving of time, money or support was shown to the people of Haiti. The learning perspective is developed through learning or observing others [ (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006) ]. A child will copy what he see and if it is continually presented the same task it will become a habit for them. The action the present would be considered an act of intuitive thinking. This vision holds central basic human rights, such as access to food, health care, meaningful employment, security and education. It also underscores the necessity of justice for the vision to be fulfilled, and the importance of human empowerment. To understand the strategies needed for Haiti’s construction, it is appropriate to consider the obstacles this country has experienced. Natural disasters are beyond our human control, but the vulnerability of Haiti to their horrific consequences is human-made. There is nothing natural about poverty, hunger and political unrest [ (Cornwell, 2010) ].
At the University of Miami, the tragedy resulted in an outpouring of relief donations, a campus-wide candlelight vigil, and a steady flow of student, faculty and staff volunteers – including medical teams led by doctors from the Miller School of Medicine – to help the survivors. “Throughout the country, people are sending help to Haiti,” said Professor Guerda Nicolas, chair, Educational and Psychological Studies (EPS). “I hope that brings a long-lasting change of attitude since Haiti now faces a long period of recovery.” This spring, in collaboration with colleagues from other schools on campus, faculty members from the School of Education will focus on two distinct groups: Haitians living in South Florida who lost family and friends in the earthquake, and the medical and relief teams in Haiti who are providing physical care for the quake survivors. “Miami has the largest community of Haitians living in the U.S., followed by New York,” said Nicolas. “We intend to work closely with the existing support infrastructure to assess the situation and provide appropriate interventions [ (Depp) ].

The person characteristics were those of a Good Samaritans. When a person perceives that help is needed and takes personal responsibility, weigh the cost and benefits, and decide how to intervene are recognized likely characteristics. The looters, and those presenting violence were representing the negative behavior. Rescue workers struggled to clear rubble and bodies Wednesday from the streets of Haiti's "flattened" capital, where a government official said the death toll from Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake may exceed 100,000.Thousands of injured people waited for care outside badly damaged hospitals, while an unknown number remained trapped inside collapsed buildings. Basic services like water and electricity were out, and Haitian President Rene Preval said his government needs help clearing streets so rescuers can reach some of the hardest-hit areas [ (Depp) ]. There was a need medicine and medical help in general. Some of the hospitals, they collapsed. People were digging through the rubble of leveled buildings with their hands Wednesday, looking for survivors or bodies. The whole blocks of collapsed buildings, with dozens of bodies piled in the streets. [ (Depp) ]. The presidential palace in Port-au-Prince was in ruins. Preval, Haiti's president said he did not know where he was going to sleep Wednesday night. "I have plenty of time to look for a bed," he said late in the afternoon. "But now I am working on how to rescue the people. Sleeping is not the problem." (Cooper, 2010).

References:

Cooper, A. (2010, January 13). Haiti appeals for aid; official fears 100,000 dead after earthquake. Retrieved April 2010, 18, from cnn: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/13/haiti.earthquake/index.html
Cornwell, R. E. (2010, January 25). A Clear Thinking Oaisis . Retrieved April 2010, 18, from http://richarddawkins.net/articles/4983
Depp, R. B. (n.d.). Perspective: The place of peace in constructing Haiti. Retrieved April 18, 2010, from http://mcc.org/stories/news/perspective-place-peace-constructing-haiti
Ignarri, C. (2010, January 27). Social Psycholoy Eye . Retrieved April 18, 2010, from http://socialpsychologyeye.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/helping-hands-sharing-among-survivors/
Taylor, S. E., Peplau, L. A., & Sears, D. O. (2006). Social Psychology. In L. Jewell, & J. Marshall (Eds.). Upper Saddle River , New Jersey , USA: Pearson Prenctice Hall.