Fatalism as a risk factor

Fatalism at first appears to be a belief system that has only the worst consequences for those who hold it. A fatalistic person tends to view the disaster process as inevitable, unavoidable and/or deserved and there is usually a link to spirituality. They may believe that people are powerless against nature, that natural processes should be respected and accepted. As a result, they are less likely to adopt survival behaviours in response to a disaster.

Cultural Factors: Worldviews, Attitudes toward environmental issues

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations

Disaster Phases: Response

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective