Human information processing under stress

Tracy Rogers

doi:10.5055/jem.0756

Authors

Tracy Rogers, MPA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4253-5690

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0756

Keywords:

stress, anxiety, information processing, emergency management, incident command, disaster response

Abstract

This article is a review of literature focused on how human beings process information under stress. Three major theories on information processing are reviewed: cue utilization theory, attentional control theory, and working memory capacity theory. Different conditions that can cause an individual to feel stress are examined, how stress affects information processing, ways which stress may be beneficial, and different ways to mitigate stress, so they may process information more accurately and efficiently. Throughout the article, examples of how stress can affect incident commanders responding to a disaster situation are used to illustrate research findings.

Author Biography

Tracy Rogers, MPA

Doctoral Student in Emergency Management, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama

References

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