The Spacetime Configuration of the Catastrophic Event: Psychosociology and Psychopathology of the Victims

This paper describes the organizational, logistical, and psychological dynamics and processes that occur in the social fabric during catastrophic events (whether natural or manmade, terrorist attack, urban guerrilla warfare, riots, war actions, or serious cri-minal events) involving both victims and rescuers. In closing, the possibility of using stu-dies and research on nonverbal communications and purpose-oriented group mental unity to explain many of the phenomena related to collective panic during such events.