Accession Number:

ADA010211

Title:

Crisis Management: Psychological and Sociological Factors in Decision Making

Descriptive Note:

Final research rept. 1 Jul 1974-31 Mar 1975

Corporate Author:

HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH INC MCLEAN VA

Personal Author(s):

• Shapiro, Howard B.
• Gilbert, Marcia A.

Report Date:

1975-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

146.0

Abstract:

The report summarizes the two phases of a study designed to assess the possible contributions of psychological and sociological literature to improving the management of foreign policy crises. In Phase I, after a systematic search of the literature, the research findings of over 100 studies were synthesized into 81 propositions that relate to the influence of individual and group-level factors on the effective performance of decision-making tasks in crisis management. In Phase II the research literature was evaluated in order to assess the state of the art. Some fifteen areas were identified in which we could conclude that statements of relationships were well supported and could serve as the basis for policy implementation. The most important of these focused on the negative effects of time pressure, the breakdown of analytical abilities in crisis, the effectiveness of established vs. ad hoc groups, and the difficulties of information processing.

Descriptors:

• *DECISION MAKING
• *FOREIGN POLICY
• *INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• BEHAVIOR
• EMERGENCIES
• EMOTIONS
• MANAGEMENT
• RISK
• SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
• SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
• STRESS(PSYCHOLOGY)
• THREAT EVALUATION
• UNCERTAINTY

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Psychology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE