How Disaster Can Inspire Human Connection
Catastrophe ignites our compassionate tendencies—a hidden asset for resilience.
KEY POINTS
- Historical and psychological research suggests that in collective crises, people are generally inspired to act with compassion, not selfishness.
- In the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic people reported feeling inspired to connect, and that their interactions were more meaningful.
- Our drive to connect is a hidden asset that may be tapped to promote resilience in disaster relief efforts.
In 1906 a massive earthquake shook San Francisco, displacing much of the population. Escaping from the wreckage and the subsequent fires that spread across the city, people found themselves reaching out to one another in incredible ways, collaborating to rescue, support, feed, and even entertain and laugh with each other—some actually felt so joyously connected that they looked back on that time of disaster with genuine fondness.
This and other similar stories are explored by historian and writer Rebecca Solnit in her book A Paradise Built in Hell. Solnit describes how in historical accounts of collective crises people are generally inspired to come together to connect and help each other, rather than to respond to chaos with selfishness or mob violence.
Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki terms this phenomenon "catastrophe compassion"—a natural human drive toward altruism when disaster strikes.
Moments of Connection at the Beginning of the Pandemic
When I studied the sense people made of how the pandemic impacted their social interactions in those first weeks, I found that there were several common experiences unique to that time of collective crisis.
It felt more meaningful to connect: People described feeling moved by social interactions that usually would have felt less meaningful, and indicated that they were not taking moments of connection for granted—the perceived risks posed by the pandemic made connecting with others feel more urgent and special. Even a quick polite conversation or a wave on the street could evoke a deep feeling of appreciation.
People were more motivated to connect: People experienced a more empathetic orientation toward others, deeply wanting to help and engage. This included giving and receiving high-level support, but also a drive toward deeper connection—people shared that they opened up more intimately with folks in their life and some even reached out to estranged relatives.
People experienced a sense of common struggle: Grappling with the emerging pandemic gave people a common experience to connect over. Some people even described the pandemic as a common “foe” to struggle against together—and a common foe is something social scientists have long known is quite effective in tightening the bonds of social groups.
Indeed Zaki explains that when a traumatic event touches lives across a community, everyone suddenly has a shared identity—they are all now part of the family of people facing this particular adversity. They also are likely to have a greater sense of shared reality, a key factor in human connection.
The Drive to Connect as an Asset for Resilience
Plans for harnessing people’s natural drive to connect and contribute are important to consider in preparing for potential catastrophic events—because both social connection and helping others benefit people's ability to cope and find resilience in collective crises.
Moments of connection help our nervous system move from agitation, fear, and stress, to more calm states—especially when we are in contact with those with whom we’ve developed a sense of emotional and physical security. Being able to regulate our nervous systems together amid an ongoing crisis helps people process the emotional impact of the event, buffering against lasting psychological trauma.
Supporting others offers people a chance to feel that their actions matter even in a situation that seems beyond their control—which again promotes resilience. When people have a chance to exercise their altruistic tendencies, they can feel a sense of purpose as part of the solution rather than helpless in the face of adversity."
Read the full available article on Psychology Today
Reflection: Have you ever expereinced a situation where a disaster has inspired human connection, besides the COVID19 pandemic?
#Disaster #Connection #Support #Resilience
@professionalVision2624 It's true that one positive outcome out of every negative event is the enhancement of emotional bonding between two people or more.
As far as I know this fact is also scientifically backed. I wouldn't call this a distruction (!!!TRIGGER WARNING!!!) but I experienced that when two close relatives of mine were dying from cancer at about the same period of time.
It's tragic to know that someone will die anyway and you are desperate to help but can't... My family though was very bonded back then and we still are.
I also believe in spirituality so this contributed to my mental growth, brought me closer to God and to my own mindfulness. Thank you for the interesting post!
@professionalVision2624
After a disaster, human connection definitely becomes stronger. Everyone can empathize with one another and it brings us closer.
Thanks for the post!💛💫
@professionalVision2624
I remember in a quote that in a disaster you will simultaneously see the best of humanity and the worst. It's definitely discouraging to see how many people are causing other's suffering and ruin from their own actions, but I hold hope that there do exist people who are willing to do good for others and that they'll balance it out.
@sunnyWriting4806
I agree with you 100%. It's an important perspective that you highlight that it takes out the best and worst in people at the same time. Meaning that when things get tough some people decide to run away while others stay and makes sure no one is left behind. In a way it reveals their true character and values <3 It can be "easy" to be a kind human being but it's hardest when your life and other lives are getting badly affected by a disaster