Perceived Responder Legitimacy and Group Identification Predict Cooperation and Compliance in a Mass Decontamination Field Exercise

TY - JOUR

T1 - Perceived Responder Legitimacy and Group Identification Predict Cooperation and Compliance in a Mass Decontamination Field Exercise

AU - Carter, Holly

AU - Drury, John

AU - Amlôt, Richard

AU - Rubin, G. James

AU - Williams, Richard

PY - 2013/11

Y1 - 2013/11

N2 - Emergency responders' failure to communicate effectively during decontamination following a chemical or biological incident has been associated with increased public anxiety and reduced public compliance. In this study we applied the social identity approach to evaluating a field exercise that involved mass decontamination. Questionnaires were collected from 115 volunteers, who participated in the exercise as simulated casualties. Volunteers' perceptions of effective responder communication predicted increased self-reported compliance with decontamination, mediated by perceived responder legitimacy and identification with other group members. Developing effective communication strategies using a social psychology perspective could improve the way in which incidents are managed.

AB - Emergency responders' failure to communicate effectively during decontamination following a chemical or biological incident has been associated with increased public anxiety and reduced public compliance. In this study we applied the social identity approach to evaluating a field exercise that involved mass decontamination. Questionnaires were collected from 115 volunteers, who participated in the exercise as simulated casualties. Volunteers' perceptions of effective responder communication predicted increased self-reported compliance with decontamination, mediated by perceived responder legitimacy and identification with other group members. Developing effective communication strategies using a social psychology perspective could improve the way in which incidents are managed.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84889605845&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/01973533.2013.840634

DO - 10.1080/01973533.2013.840634

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84889605845

SN - 0197-3533

VL - 35

SP - 575

EP - 585

JO - BASIC AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

JF - BASIC AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

IS - 6

ER -