Relocation and Decision Making Processes of Natural Disaster Victims

拟议的研究的目的是测试决策的两个理论观点-理性选择理论和象征性的互动-通过研究洪水灾民的决策，要么留在或搬迁以外的洪泛区。 联邦机构已经将管理洪泛区财产的方法从仅仅关注恢复工作转变为制定积极主动的计划，以保护人民和财产不受损害。 这些机构试图打破开发-破坏-再开发循环的一种方法是通过公共收购洪泛区财产（FEMA 2000，1997）。 虽然许多这些买断计划已经适度成功，这些计划取决于个人房主决定参加。 然而，尚未对这一群体的决策考虑进行研究。 这个项目旨在填补这一空白，同时推进我们对理性选择理论和符号互动论的相对优点的理解。

The purpose of the proposed study is to test two theoretical perspectives on decision-making - rational choice theory and symbolic interactionism - by examining the decision-making of flood victims to either remain in or relocate outside of the floodplain. Federal agencies have shifted their approach to managing floodplain property from focusing on recovery efforts solely to developing proactive programs to protect people and property from being damaged. One way that these agencies have attempted to break the cycle of development-destruction-redevelopment is through public acquisition of floodplain property (FEMA 2000, 1997). While many of these buyout programs have been moderately successful, these programs hinge on individual homeowners deciding to participate. Yet, a study of the decision-making considerations of this population has not been conducted. This project seeks to fill that gap while advancing our understanding of the relative merits of rational choice theory and symbolic interactionism.