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Interdisciplinary Research Project University of Central Florida August 1, 2010

Interdisciplinary Research Project University of Central Florida August 1, 2010. IDS3933-Group 2 Shira Bland, Brandon Bing, Megan Harned, Aura Haylesthomas, Christina Hope, Edward Jarmakowicz John Seybert, Mark Siegel, William Taylor, Cynthia  Verdura, .

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Interdisciplinary Research Project University of Central Florida August 1, 2010

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  1. Interdisciplinary Research ProjectUniversity of Central FloridaAugust 1, 2010 IDS3933-Group 2 Shira Bland, Brandon Bing, Megan Harned, Aura Haylesthomas, Christina Hope, Edward Jarmakowicz John Seybert, Mark Siegel, William Taylor, Cynthia  Verdura,

  2. What Effect Will The BP Oil Spill Have On Homelessness In Florida? • Since April 20, 2010, the BP oil spill has caused great controversy and panic. For 80 days the Deepwater Horizon pumped out millions of gallons of oil into the gulf before it was stopped, people and businesses have suffered all over the Gulf coast because of the devastation. The fishing industry is greatly affected due to contamination impacting their income and survival. These issues may lead to unintended job loss and subsequent homelessness. As oil travels toward the Florida coast, our focus will be to analyze the impact the BP oil spill and its possible effect on homelessness in Florida. Will it be a positive or negative effect or no effect at all?

  3. Why is an Interdisciplinary analysis needed as it relates to Homelessness and the BP oil Spill? • The questions surrounding natural or man-made disasters are complex. We have learned from disastrous problems in the past such as 9/11, the Exxon Valdez and hurricane Katrina that individual disciplines provide valuable insight to individual problems, but not as comprehensive as needed. • Since these important disciplinary insights fall short of the needed analysis, our goal through integration of disciplinary insights is to find a fresh and new understanding into this important societal need.

  4. Significant contributions have been made by these disciplines with regard to Homelessness and Disasters.

  5. Seek to explain the human world and figure out how to predict or improve it They have been torn between the ideals of scientific objectivity and those of humanistic reform-mindedness. (Hendershott & Wright, 1997, p. 301) As interdisciplinarians, we have selected the following disciplines because they focus on the human condition and advance insights on how culture is effected. Disciplinary Perspectives

  6. Economics emphasizes the study of market interactions, with the individual functioning as a separate, autonomous, rational entity, supreme within them. It perceives groups (even societies) as nothing more than the sum of the individuals in them. (Repko, Table 3.2 pg 60) Economic Perspective

  7. Sociology views the world as a social reality that includes the range and scope of relationships that exist between people in a given society. Sociology is particularly interested in voice of various subcultures, analysis of institutions, and how bureaucracies and vested interests shape life. (Repko, 2008, pg 61) Sociology Perspective

  8. Political Science views the world as a political arena in which individuals and groups make a decisions based on the search for or exercise of power. Politics at all levels and in all cultures is viewed as a perpetual struggle over whose values, not just whose interests, will prevail in setting priorities and making collective choices. (Repko, Table 3.2 pg 60) Political Science Perspective

  9. Economic Equilibrium Theory The theory states that economic forces are in balance and in the absence of external influences the (equilibrium) values of economic variables will not change. The CGE Model (Computable General Equilibrium Model) states that actual economic data can be used to estimate impacts to the economy due to changes in policy or external factors. The assumption for this model is that existing economic data from historic incidents of industrial and natural disasters can help predict the effects on the economy due to the BP oil spill. By evaluating this type of data, potential economic impacts including loss of employment, housing, and local business failure due to the BP oil spill can possibly be extrapolated. (Tirasirichai, C. & Enke, D., 1998)

  10. Economics - Law of Unintended Consequences The Law of Unintended Consequences states that the actions of people, business, or governments always have an effect that is not anticipated or intended. There are many factors contributing to initial homelessness (as opposed to factors causing perpetual homelessness) due to recent economic issues including the housing failure, stock market crash, increased energy costs, and skyrocketing medical costs. It may be difficult to determine if the BP oil spill has an effect on the increase of the homeless population because of income loss caused directly or indirectly by the spill, since homelessness in general is already on the rise. (Brubaker, et al, 2010)

  11. Social Science - Affective Prejudice Theory Affective Prejudice Theory refers to people’s likes and dislikes and attitudes toward a particular class of people. While the prevalence of homelessness remains stable, public opinion gradually changes over time. (Tompsett, et al., 2006) Based on several studies of current and past homeless persons, and also general public opinion, it appears that people are slowly beginning to understand the issue of homelessness and are more willing to help and provide necessary programs to assist those in need. The assumption in this theory is that although studies show that the number of people affected by homelessness remains relatively constant over time, public opinion of the matter is gradually changing. Attitudes of the public are largely influenced by the media and are moving away from old stereotypes.

  12. Political Science - Statistical Discrimination Theory This theory typically applies to employment and job hiring practices, but can be applied here also. The theory states that neutral selection practices produce a substantial disparity of outcomes between one group and another. Increasing spatial and demographic diversification of homelessness suggests that public policy measures to address homelessness will have to be flexible to accommodate different populations. (Crane, R., & Takahashi, L.M., 1998)

  13. Political Science - Statistical Discrimination Theory (Continued) If the BP oil spill has a direct effect on the multitude of jobs associated with the Gulf shore communities (including fishing and tourism), there will be a very diverse influx of people into the homeless community. This will include families, children and all lifestyles. Existing services for homeless people may not have the infrastructure in place to deal with the different demographic, requiring governments to address these issues in a timely manner. The assumption for this theory is that the demographics of the stereotypical homeless person (single, white, alcoholic men) are incorrect and changing. The current description of a homeless person includes women, children, minorities, teens, and families. Because of the diverse population now comprising homeless persons, various types of public services will be required to accommodate them.

  14. Conflicts and Their Causes • Economic Bias • BP's is compensating the people affected by the spill. This may give the appearance that those affected are able to continue a normal life without additional assistance. • BP is trying to save money by employing fishermen to clean up the spill without paying them equal wages without benefits with potential health hazards. “This program won’t pay per day what they would make fishing," says BP spokesperson McIntosh-Lee.(Sasser, B., 2010) • Homelessness is rising due to job loss (Harris, J.D., 2010)

  15. Conflicts and Their Causes (continued) • Sociological Bias • BP is helping the people directly affected by the oil spill. • BP Donated $1 million to a catholic charity in Louisiana to support emergency food assistance and financial aid for families affected by the disaster. (Louisiana DSS, 2010)

  16. Conflicts and Their Causes (continued) • Political Bias • Mark Murray, the deputy political director of NBC News states that "Two months of oil continuing to gush from a well off the Gulf Coast, as well as an unemployment rate still near 10 percent." which can lead a diverse influx of people into the homeless community. Therefore, existing services for homeless people may not have the appropriate capacity for them in their facilities. (Nyhan, B., 2010) • Current Presidential administration is being criticized for slow response, while Rudy Guiliani, former mayor of New York City was praised for actions during the 9/11 crisis. (BronxBob, 2010) • Government programs have been slow to respond to needs in the hopes that BP will make full restitution for all impacts and effects resulting from the spill.

  17. Common Ground

  18. Works Cited • BronxBob, . (2010, May 25). Crisis management: giuliani vs. obama. SodaHead, Retrieved from http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/crisis-management-giuliani-vs-obama/blog-331611/ • Brubaker, M. D., Garrett, M., Rivera, E. & Tate, K. A. (2010). Justice Making in Groups for Homeless Adults: The Emancipatory Communitarian Way. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 35(2), 124-133. doi:10.1080/01933921003705982 • Crane, R., & Takahashi, L.M. (1998). Who are the Suburban homeless and what do they want? an empirical study of the demand for public services. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 18, 35-48. • Harris, J.D. (2010, July 30). Gulf's homeless population grows as people seek work . The Huffington Post, Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/30/gulfs-homeless-population_n_665405.html • Louisiana, DSS. (2010, May 18). Bp responds to dss, second harvest, catholic charities request for aid. Retrieved from http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/05182010-BP.html • Nyhan, B. (2010, June 25). The Obama oil spill/approval narrative spreads. Retrieved from http://www.brendan-nyhan.com/blog/2010/06/obama-approval-still-no-oil-spill-effect.html • Repko, A.F. (2008). Interdisciplinary research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.. • Sasser, B. (2010). Distrust hampers bp effort to enlist fishermen in oil spill flight. The Christian Science Monitor, Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0503/Distrust-hampers-BP-effort-to-enlist-fishermen-in-oil-spill-flight • Tirasirichai, C. & Enke, D. (2007). Case Study: Applying a Regional Cge Model for Estimation of Indirect Economic Losses Due to Damaged Highway Bridges. The Engineering Economist: A Journal Devoted to the Problems of Capital Investment, 52(4), 367-401. doi:10.1080/00137910701686996 • Tompsett, C.J., Toro, P.A., Guzicki, M., Manrique, M., & Zatakia, J. (2006). Homelessness in the united states: assessing changes in prevalence and public opinion, 1993–2001. American Journal of Community Psychology, 37(1), 47-61. Doi: .1007/s10464-005-9007-2

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