Reexamining threat rigidity: Implications for design
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
4-3-2009
Abstract
Emergencies today seem larger, more complex, and unique than those of the past. Responding to them requires flexibility and creativity not easily achieved. The threat-rigidity thesis proposed by Staw, Sandelands, and Dutton[23] proposes that response to an environmental threat is often one of constriction of control and restriction of information that results in a rigidity of response that can be maladaptive in a new and/or large crisis. However, there are ways to mitigate maladaptive responses. For example, the principles of High Reliability Organizations and Crew Resource Management can ameliorate rigidity of response. In a synthesis of the theory and empirical results from a number of different areas we show how they fit together to explain some of the observed properties of the threat rigidity syndrome. We propose a model of an individual's cognitive responses to threat and review system design principles that can support flexible, adaptive responses in crisis. © 2009 IEEE.
Identifier
63349091863 (Scopus)
ISBN
[9780769534503]
Publication Title
Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences Hicss
External Full Text Location
https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2009.365
Recommended Citation
Plotnick, Linda; Turoff, Murray; and Van Den Eede, Gerd, "Reexamining threat rigidity: Implications for design" (2009). Faculty Publications. 12103.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/12103
