About Us

About Us

Our research team is conducting the current project, which is funded by the ‘TÜBİTAK 1001 - Scientific and Technological Research Projects Support Program.’ This project investigates the social psychological impacts of the February 6, 2023 earthquake in detail and is expected to span approximately three years.

While disasters such as earthquakes have devastating effects on individuals, they can also foster the creation of new social and community identities centered around common goals and challenges. The formation of these identities, along with the involvement of aid providers, enhances group-based empowerment and resilience.

The primary objective of this project is to examine the strategies employed by individuals affected by the earthquake to increase their visibility and secure support for their needs. The project also aims to explore how these strategies are related to the development and dissemination of shared identities. By investigating these processes, the project seeks to deepen our understanding of the well-being of both the affected populations and the groups providing assistance. Furthermore, the research aims to identify more effective approaches to emergency response.

In the research conducted for this project, the following data collection methods will be employed:

• Participant observation (ethnography)

• Individual interviews

• Surveys

In conclusion, from a social psychology perspective, our research aims to enhance understanding of the role of group-based processes and the formation of new identities in coping with the adverse effects of the earthquake. This will also provide valuable insights into the challenges of emergency management. The project’s findings will offer information that can be utilized by both individuals affected by the earthquake and key stakeholders, such as ministry personnel and civil society organization (CSO) workers."

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Name of the study

Social Psychology Case Study on Post-Disaster Group Behavior: Assistance and Solidarity Strategies after the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş-Centered Earthquake

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Objectives of the Research

1. Defining Post-Disaster Support Strategies
   • To explore how earthquake survivors and aid providers define the support strategies they implement.
   • To analyze how these strategies are perceived and assess the extent to which they address the needs of affected individuals.

2. Examining the Role of Communication and Interaction
   • To investigate the influence of communication and interaction between those affected by the earthquake and aid providers on the sustainability of relief strategies.
   • To understand how individuals cope with the negative consequences of the disaster by forming a shared identity, as framed by social identity theory.

3. Understanding Identity Sharing after Disaster
   • To examine how identity sharing occurred between affected individuals and aid providers following the February 6 earthquake.
   • To analyze the cultural and contextual factors influencing post-disaster support, with the aim of developing more effective response strategies for future crises.

4. Developing Innovative Strategies
   • To enhance post-disaster response methods by integrating field experiences and theoretical knowledge from institutions and organizations actively engaged in the support process.

This research aims to contribute to more rapid and effective disaster preparedness by utilizing insights gained from crises such as the February 6 earthquake.

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Importance of the Research

This research seeks to investigate the processes of social solidarity and the formation of shared identity in the aftermath of the February 6 earthquake. Additionally, the project aims to explore how individuals affected by the earthquake, as well as those providing aid, coped with the negative effects by constructing a strong social identity. The findings of this research will contribute to the following areas:

• Providing a proactive perspective on disaster response programs: The findings will inform the de velopment of more effective and preparedness-driven response strategies for future crises.

• Enhancing understanding of solidarity dynamics: By analyzing the formation of social solidarity in the aftermath of a disaster, the research will propose more effective solutions for addressing similar crisis situations.

• Strengthening institutional collaborations: The research outcomes will be shared with relevant institutions, facilitating the development of institutional cooperation models aimed at improving post-disaster response strategies.

• Offering a new perspective on disaster studies in Turkey: This study will expand the focus of disaster research, which traditionally centers on "trauma," "grief," and "crisis," by providing a broader view of how solidarity processes are shaped by cultural contexts and the nature of the disaster.

The project aims not only to contribute to the academic literature but also to offer innovative recommendations for improving disaster response strategies.