During crises and disasters, such as hurricanes, terrorist threats, or pandemics, policymakers must often increase security at the cost of freedom. Psychological science, however, has shown that the restriction of freedom may have strong negative consequences for behavior and health. We suggest that psychology can inform policy both by elucidating some negative consequences of lost freedom (e.g., depression or behavioral reactance) and by revealing strategies to address them. We propose four interlocking principles that can help policymakers restore the freedom–security balance. Careful consideration of the psychology of freedom can help policymakers develop policies that most effectively promote public health, safety, and well-being when crises and disasters strike.

在飓风、恐怖威胁或流行病等危机和灾难期间，决策者必须经常以牺牲自由为代价来增加安全。然而，心理科学表明，限制自由可能会对行为和健康产生强烈的负面影响。我们建议，心理学可以通过阐明失去自由的一些负面后果（例如，抑郁或行为反应）和揭示解决这些问题的策略来为政策提供信息。我们提出了四项环环相扣的原则，可以帮助政策制定者恢复自由与安全的平衡。仔细考虑自由的心理可以帮助政策制定者制定政策，在危机和灾难发生时最有效地促进公共卫生、安全和福祉。