How the Exigent Response Model Works

Based on Dr. Chris Fuzie's book "Because Why - Understanding Behavior in Exigencies," the Exigent Response Model is designed to help evaluate behavior in rapidly evolving, dynamically shifting, or emergency situations. The model provides a structured way to assess the appropriateness of behavior responses by considering situational and human factors. Here’s a detailed explanation of the Exigent Response Model and its function:

Overview

The Exigent Response Model is created to provide evaluators with organized guidelines to assess behavior responses in situations where the response may deviate from expected norms due to the exigent nature of the situation. This model helps in understanding the behavior of individuals in chaotic environments by breaking down the event and subsequent reactions into distinct behavior-based elements.

Function

The function of the Exigent Response Model is to provide a framework for understanding and evaluating behavior in emergencies. It helps evaluators:

• Assess the appropriateness of behavior based on situational and human factors.
• Consider the influence of fear, time pressure, and perceived options.
• Understand the deviations from established norms as potentially productive responses to exigent circumstances.

Model Assumptions

The model operates under several assumption characteristics of exigencies:

1. Chaotic Situational Environment: The person’s perception of the event is influenced by their knowledge, skills, abilities, training, values, ethics, personality, and their physical, emotional, and mental states at the time of the event. These are also affected by workload, stress, and task saturation.
2. Fear Involvement: Fear is assumed to be present and influences automatic responses during stressful situations.
3. Perception of Options: The person's perception of available options and their thought process at the time of the event are crucial. This includes their ability to transform a chaotic situation into a stable one.
4. Information Availability: All available information/input to the person involved may not be available to the evaluator after the incident. Conversely, evaluators may have additional information that the involved person did not have.
5. Time Imperative: The perception of time as a critical factor influences the need for immediate action to stabilize the situation.

Model Parameters

The model uses three main parameters:

Vertical Axis: Represents the level of deviation from previously accepted and established responses (norms, rules, policies, procedures, expectations) to adaptive behaviors (adapting, adjusting, improvising, changing, creating).

Horizontal Axis: Represents the situational dynamics from a chaotic situational environment (left) to a functional stabilizing environment (right).

Time: An unknown variable based on the situation, representing the necessity to act within a specific timeframe to move from chaos to stability.

Model Event Flow

The flow of events in the model follows a chronological order from the chaotic environment to a functional stabilizing environment, broken down into four elements. The model emphasizes that the movement from left to right along the horizontal axis and from bottom to top along the vertical axis is driven by the necessity to act within the perceived timeframe. This creates an arc in the behavior modification timeline response, illustrating the transition from established responses to adaptive behaviors.

Established Response: Initially, the person attempts to apply previously accepted norms, rules, policies, procedures, and solutions based on the situation. Time becomes increasingly critical as the person tries to transform the chaotic environment into a stable one.

Informative Failure: Recognition that established responses are failing or not applicable. This realization prompts the need for a new or different strategy to control or stabilize the situation.

Productive Deviance: The person intentionally engages in behavior different from the norm to produce positive results. The decision-making process is influenced by urgency, fear, and time considerations.

Applied Adjustment: Resourceful changes or adjustments to established norms or practices are made to achieve stability. The person evaluates the appropriateness of the applied behavior based on its effectiveness in moving from chaos to stability.

Conclusion

By applying the Exigent Response Model while attempting to understand behavior, evaluators can improve their critique of performance behaviors during emergencies, leading to more accurate and fair assessments. The model promotes a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in human behavior during rapidly evolving situations, thereby reducing the likelihood of heuristic-based judgments and societal polarization.

Hopefully, this is a model that people will begin using to evaluate many of the rapidly evolving, dynamically shifting, or emergency situations and not rely on their faulty perceptions and heuristics. Learn more in the book, "Because Why? Understanding Behavior in Exigencies."

About the Author: Dr. Chris Fuzie is the owner of CMF Leadership Consulting and is currently the Business/HR Manager for a District Attorney’s office in California. Chris is a Leaderologist II and Vice President of the National Leaderology Association (NLA) who holds a Doctor of Education (Ed. D), M.A. and B.A. in Organizational Leadership, and has graduate certificates in Human Resources and Criminal Justice Education. Chris is a developer, trainer, consultant for leadership of public, private, profit, and non-profit organizations since 2010. Chris is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a former National Instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and California P.O.S.T. Courses. Chris is the author of "Liminal Space: Reshaping Leadership and Followership," "Because Why... Understanding Behavior in Exigencies." and of "S.C.O.R.E. Performance Counseling: Save the Relationship, Change the Behavior." Chris is honorably retired from the Modesto Police Department after 28 years of public service leading such teams as the Homicide Team, the Hostage Negotiations Team, the Street-Level Drug Team and the School Police Officer Team.