This is a link to a PDF document from a larger piece but it's well worth reading by itself.
The book it came from is here:
http://fireservicebooks.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2712and the chapter cited below is
ANTICIPATING HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN DISASTERS
Myths, Exaggerations, and Realities
http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/45/EHEP0007/EHEP000745.pdfQuick Excerpt:
INTRODUCTION
In order to respond to a disaster effectively, it is imperative that you understand
people’s misperceptions about human behavior. Much of this comes from Hollywood films and the mass media. Unfortunately the information presented in movies and by reporters focuses on sensational and unusual stories. For this reason, it is vital that you are aware of the research findings about human behavior in disasters. At the same time, you must also recognize that there is some degree of truth in the public’s perception of post-disaster behavior. One way to ensure successful response and recovery operations is to understand exactly how people behave after disasters.
3.1 The Impact of Hollywood and the Media
Most people get their views about human disaster behavior from films and the
media (Fischer 1998). Movies are entertaining, of course, and media reports can
keep one riveted to a disaster as it unfolds. Unfortunately, such views are almost always inaccurate. Scholars have labeled these inaccuracies as “myths.” A myth is defined in many dictionaries as a false belief. It is difficult to counter such incorrect portrayals about disaster behavior that are quickly spread through modern video footage.
3.1.1 Hollywood
Hollywood is one of the major contributors to the public’s perceptions about disasters. There are several movies that portray people’s behavior in a negative and fictitious light.
Dante’s Peak is a good example. This movie relays the story about a volcanic
eruption in the Northwestern United States. After several deaths result from the
emission of dangerous gasses from the volcano, community leaders hold a meeting to calm the public. During this gathering, an earthquake occurs and people panic as a result. They run haphazardly out of the building and begin to evacuate in droves as the volcano explodes from the mountain above them. Cars and trucks run into each other as their occupants drive frantically to escape the oozing lava and falling ash. Roads become clogged, and people do all they can to protect themselves while ignoring the needs of others. The movie suggests that when disaster strikes, people behave erratically.
Volcano is another disaster movie. It provides an amusing, but not completely
accurate, view of human behavior in extreme events. After workers die in an
underground utility tunnel in Los Angeles, a scientist named Dr. Amy Barnes
discovers a growing volcanic threat. While investigating the source of deadly
gasses below ground, the volcano becomes active. Dr. Barnes climbs out of the
hole to save her life. When she arrives on the surface, she takes off her breathing apparatus and sets it down nearby. As she turns around, a bystander grabs her mask and runs off with it. This film gives the impression that theft and looting are common in disasters.
The movie Asteroid also provides an interesting portrayal of disasters. Upon
learning that an asteroid is about to hit the United States, the government begins a massive evacuation. As people leave the target area, one person becomes irate because of the government’s decisions and shoots a FEMA official at an airport hangar. This movie, like many others, presents lawlessness and violence as the norm in disasters.
...
3.2 Research on Myths
Many sociologists have studied human behavior in disaster (see Table 3-1), and
a great deal of literature has thus been written about the topic of disaster
“myths.” As an emergency manager, you should be familiar with this literature.
Much of this research is dated, but prior studies reveal “most persons held preconceived notions about disaster behavior that were essentially untrue.” (Quarantelli and Dynes 1972, p. 67). In other words, “many common beliefs and
perceptions about disaster response and post-impact behavior are not empirically valid” (Wenger, Dykes, and Sebok 1975, p. 33). Recent research continues to reiterate previous findings (Tierney, Lindell, and Perry 2001). New
investigations are being undertaken after Hurricane Katrina and should be out
shortly.
One of the most widely held myths according to the literature is that people act irrationally in disaster situations. It is believed that people always panic.
Panic is people’s inability to think clearly or their tendency to run frantically
from buildings or the disaster scene. Another related belief is masses of people
evacuating at once. It is true that many people will leave the scene of a disaster. This need not
result in panic, however. Research suggests that....
(Continues in the book.) 
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