Hero-making as a Defense against the Anxiety of Responsibility and Risk:: A Case Study of US Airways Flight 1549

Amy Fraher

Hero-making as a Defense against the Anxiety of Responsibility and Risk: A Case Study of US Airways Flight 1549

Amy Fraher

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

By examining US Airways Flight 1549’s glider-like landing on New York
City’s Hudson River on 15 January 2009, this article contributes to a deeper
understanding of the psycho- and socio-analytic aspects of American culture.
Using system psychodynamics as a conceptual framework, the essay
uses this case study to demonstrate how individual psychology, group
dynamics, and systemic influences intertwined to tap a collective societal
need for a traditional male hero to salve the cultural disillusionment created
by corporate scandals, executive greed, job loss, and terrorist attacks in post-
9/11 America. Understanding how this phenomenon occurred helps us grapple
with psycho-cultural factors that favour searching for a saviour over
recognising collective responsibilities that encourage more collaborative
approaches to crisis decision making.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	59-78
Journal	Organisational & Social Dynamics
Volume	11
Issue number	1
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2011

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

system psychodynamics
crisis decision making
heroes

Access to Document

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/kb/osd/2011/00000011/00000001/art00005Licence: None: All rights reserved

Cite this

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