PSY 409 Psychology of Disaster

Focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, this course studies normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental healthcare for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that either worsen or mitigate the traumatizing after-effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered. Learners explore how individuals react to natural disasters and terrorist mass-casualty incidents.