title: Earthquakes on the mind: implications of disasters for human performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study explored the impact a natural disaster has on human performance.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous research indicates that traffic accidents increase after disasters. A plausible explanation for this finding is that disasters induce cognitive disruption and this disruption negatively affects performance (e.g., driving quality).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 participants (7 men and 9 women) performed a sustained-attention-to-response task before and after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. Performance (errors of omission, errors of commission, and reaction time) was compared before and after the earthquake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Errors of omission increased after the earthquake. Changes in errors of commission and reaction times were, however, dependent on individual differences in stress response to the earthquake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that natural disasters may have a negative impact on performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Communities need to be aware of the increased risk of accidents following disasters and develop countermeasures, including individualized assessment tools.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand. Deak.Helton@canterbury.ac.nz
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Helton
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Head
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis