Disaster science is an academic field that explores mechanisms of disasters, investigates economic, social, and environmental impact of disasters, and develops systems for disaster prevention, mitigation, and restoration. After the 2011 Great East Japan (Tohoku) earthquake and tsunami disaster, reduction and avoidance of potential losses from disasters have received much attention. The purpose of this article is to introduce a new research field in disaster science called disaster cognitive psychological science. First, we define disasters in disaster science. Second, disaster cognitive psychological science is introduced. The scopes of disaster cognitive psychological science are 1) to clarify human mental processes and behaviors in any situation related to disasters such as evacuation behavior, risk perception, and decision making, and 2) to develop and evaluate new systems for disaster prevention, mitigation, and restoration such as education and training programs for disaster prevention. Finally, disaster cognitive psychological science research has only just begun. We shall continue our research related to disaster cognitive psychological science.
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