Panic Myth Many researchers claim that panic is a myth that is often over exaggerated by the news media and Hollywood (McEntire p.80-81). “Panic has been described as people’s inability to think clearly or their tendency to run franticly from buildings or the disaster scene” (McEntire p.83). On the contrary, I will have to somewhat disagree with the researcher’s definition that panic is a myth. In addition, that victim’s panic is based solely on a victim’s irrational behavior at the disaster scene. Panic take place in different stages starting with anxiety and fear of the unknown being thriving factor. During disasters, when all escape options are exhausted people will have an anxiety attack that leads to fear, which eventually leads to panic.
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For example, in 2015 the movie San Andreas was about the biggest earthquake to hit the California coastline (Peyton). The movie shows people panicking and screaming frantically as they tried to escape collapsing buildings and streets that were imploding. Although, the movie exhibit panic situations, there were often times where the movie showed people helping each other to safety. Contradicting to what researchers are saying that panic is a myth that only occur in movies is not true. Everyone reacts differently to dangerous situations. People reactions are normally based on the reactions of other people. Another movie example that show both sides of panic and compassion is in the movie Titanic. One scene shows how the band sacrifice their own lives by continuing to play music to calm patrons until met with fate. Other scenes from the Titanic show passengers selfishly trying to save their own lives by shoving people to gain access to safety boats. This goes to show that movies do show there can be instances of panic and calm during disasters. In reality, due to the recent events of terrorism and active shooting people are on edge in public places. For instance, if a few people start to run frantically screaming in a crowed mall, most likely others mall patrons will start to run along without questioning what their running for until they feel safe. Therefore, people are more likely to react in a panic state than wait patiently to see what is
For example, in 2015 the movie San Andreas was about the biggest earthquake to hit the California coastline (Peyton). The movie shows people panicking and screaming frantically as they tried to escape collapsing buildings and streets that were imploding. Although, the movie exhibit panic situations, there were often times where the movie showed people helping each other to safety. Contradicting to what researchers are saying that panic is a myth that only occur in movies is not true. Everyone reacts differently to dangerous situations. People reactions are normally based on the reactions of other people. Another movie example that show both sides of panic and compassion is in the movie Titanic. One scene shows how the band sacrifice their own lives by continuing to play music to calm patrons until met with fate. Other scenes from the Titanic show passengers selfishly trying to save their own lives by shoving people to gain access to safety boats. This goes to show that movies do show there can be instances of panic and calm during disasters. In reality, due to the recent events of terrorism and active shooting people are on edge in public places. For instance, if a few people start to run frantically screaming in a crowed mall, most likely others mall patrons will start to run along without questioning what their running for until they feel safe. Therefore, people are more likely to react in a panic state than wait patiently to see what is