Summary
In their article, Lindell and Perry (2012) discuss the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM), which is a model that is aimed at illustrating the manner in which individuals and groups tend to make decisions about carrying out actions aimed at protecting themselves from the adverse effects of disasters and environmental hazards. According to this model, the process of making decisions about which protective actions to take begins with an initial input of information, which may be gained from environmental cues, social cues, and various information sources, and is impacted by such factors as access to and preference of channels of information, the availability of warning messages, and certain characteristics of the entity which receives the information (Lindell & Perry, 2012). After that, the phase at which a decision is made follows. It starts with a predecision process (impacted by exposure to information, one’s attention, and their comprehension of the gained information), at the end of which, after taking into account one’s view on threats and on possible protective actions, as well as stakeholder perceptions, a decision about which protective action to take is made (Lindell & Perry, 2012). The decision then leads to a behavioral response, which may include the search for further information, taking protective actions, or emotion-centered coping, and is also impacted positively by possible situational facilitators, and negatively – by situational impediments (Lindell & Perry, 2012). Importantly, the behavioral response also may have a connection to the first phase of PADM, as individuals and other entities might serve as e.g. information sources for others, thus providing feedback based on the decisions that they made during their decision-making process (Lindell & Perry, 2012).
It is also important that Lindell and Perry (2012) discuss three possible areas of applications of PADM. These include a) creation of risk communication programs; b) modeling of evacuation efforts; and c) adoption of adjustments that would lower the adverse impact of future disasters and/or environmental hazards (Lindell & Perry, 2012). It is demonstrated that the detailed research of the various elements of which the different stages of PADM are comprised allows for enhancing the effectiveness of disaster and natural hazard responses, thereby allowing for decreasing the adverse impact of such events (Lindell & Perry, 2012).
Critical Remarks
On the whole, PADM allows for understanding the process in which different entities may make decisions about acting in response to various natural hazards or disasters. As has been noted, this model has been used for three main practical applications. For instance, the knowledge of how individuals react to messages warning about disasters allows for modifying these messages in a manner that would permit for more effectively communicating the nature of the disaster and the advised steps to be taken. The knowledge of how individuals may react to particular situations allows for better planning of evacuation efforts. In addition, responses to hazards may be impacted by perceptions of individuals pertaining to characteristics of these hazards; this has some consequences for the adoption of hazard adjustments.
It may also be noted that, while the model takes into account the possible impact of the presence or absence of situational impediments and/or facilitators, it is not completely clear why they are included in PADM only after the second phase (which concludes with proactive decision making) (Lindell & Perry, 2012, p. 617), for these impediments and facilitators may affect the process of decision-making at the pre-decision phase as well.
Discussion Questions
- Can you suggest any elements of the process of making decisions pertaining to hazard response that may also be included in the PADM?
- In the figure describing the information flow in PADM (Lindell & Perry, 2012, p. 617), entities provide feedback only after the stage of their behavioral response. Do you believe feedback might also be provided during or after other stages of PADM?
Reference
Lindell, M. K., & Perry, R. W. (2012). The protective action decision model: theoretical modifications and additional evidence. Risk Analysis, 32(4), 616-632. Web.