Hasmin Cecilia S. Dela Peña, Joan Victoria G. Depasupil, Kristel Joy J. Malayan (February 2007)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Panic is a hazy state of confusion that can affect anyone Since human lives are the primary concern of the public, studies aim to diminish accidents caused by panic by establishing a standard for safer building designs. Panic research is a new branch of research and still has a limited body of knowledge. This study addresses the behavior of panicking groups and how it is influenced by the architecture of the space in which they are confined.
This study aimed to determine the effects of various slope floor elevations on the number of mice that escaped the set-up after regular time intervals. Mice were exposed to water and the average total time of escape of mice and the number of mice that escaped the set-up after regular time intervals were recorded.
One-Way ANOVA showed that there were no significant differences in the number of mice that escaped the set-up after regular time intervals (p=0.363, 0.758, a=0.05) and in the average total time for all the mice to escape (p=0.285,a=0.05). Results of the study showed minimal herding behavior since the number of mice and the volume of water used were not enough to stimulate panic. Mice are not homogenized subjects, thus their reactions to stressors differ.
Another reason for the insignificant differences in the results was that the slopes could only be differentiated over a larger area.
This study will set as a standard for future panic research experiments.