Print Email Facebook Twitter The Virtual Reality Scenario Method Title The Virtual Reality Scenario Method: Moving from Imagination to Immersion in Criminal Decision-making Research Author van Gelder, Jean-Louis (University of Twente) de Vries, Reinout E. (University of Twente; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Demetriou, A.M. (TU Delft Multimedia Computing) van Sintemaartensdijk, Iris (University of Twente; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Donker, Tara (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Date 2019 Abstract Objectives: This study proposes an alternative hypothetical scenario method capitalizing on the potential of virtual reality (VR). Rather than asking participants to imagine themselves in a specific situation, VR perceptually immerses them in it. We hypothesized that experiencing a scenario in VR would increase feelings of being “present” in the situation, and add to perceived realism compared to the written equivalent. This, in turn, was expected to trigger stronger emotional experiences influencing subsequent behavioral intentions. Methods: In an experiment, participants (N = 153), visitors of a large music festival, either read a “bar fight” scenario or experienced the scenario in VR. Following the scenario, they were presented a series of questions including intention to aggress, perceived risk, anticipated shame/guilt, presence, perceived realism, and anger. Analyses were conducted using analysis of variance, stepwise regression, and mediation analysis using nonparametric bootstrapping. Results: In line with expectations, the results indicate significant differences between conditions with the VR scenario triggering stronger presence, higher realism, and higher intention to aggress. Importantly, presence and anger mediated the relation between condition and intention to aggress. Conclusions: We show that the VR scenario method may provide benefits over written scenarios for the study of criminal decision-making. Implications are discussed. Subject 360° videoangeremotionsscenariosvirtual reality To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c65b1d0a-462c-4c1c-926b-c88a966cbcf4 DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0022427818819696 ISSN 0022-4278 Source Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 56 (3), 451-480 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2019 Jean-Louis van Gelder, Reinout E. de Vries, A.M. Demetriou, Iris van Sintemaartensdijk, Tara Donker Files PDF 50303195_0022427818819696.pdf 437.38 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:c65b1d0a-462c-4c1c-926b-c88a966cbcf4/datastream/OBJ/view