Personality pathways to aggression: Testing a trait‐state model using immersive technology
Criminology, vol. 60, pp. 406–428
Abstract
Abstract Trait‐state models aim to provide an encompassing view of offender decision‐making processes by linking individual dispositions to proximal factors. In an experiment using an immersive virtual reality bar fight scenario, we propose and test a trait‐state model that identifies the pathways through which robust personality correlates of aggressive behavior, that is, agreeableness, emotionality, and honesty‐humility, result in intentions to aggress. Using structural equation modeling, we show how these personality traits relate to intentions to aggress via anger, fear, perceived risk, and anticipated guilt/shame. Additionally, we demonstrate superior validity of our virtual scenario over a written version of the same scenario by virtue of its ability to provide more contextual realism, to establish a stronger sense of presence, and to trigger more intense emotional states relevant to the decision situation. Implications for future decision‐making research and theory are discussed.
Authors 4
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Jean‐Louis van Gelder corresponding Aachen Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands
Leiden University · Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law
Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Leiden University—Leiden The Netherlands
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime Security and Law—Freiburg Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam—Amsterdam The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Behavioural Management and Social Sciences—University of Twente Enschede The Netherlands
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University of Freiburg · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Department of Psychology—Albert Ludwigs‐University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam—Amsterdam The Netherlands
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