Virtual Reality-Based Retrospective Think Aloud (VR-RTA): A Novel Method for Studying Offender Decision-Making

CrimRxiv

Abstract

This article describes a novel multimodal method to examine decision- making: Virtual Reality-Based Retrospective Think Aloud (VR-RTA). This method taps directly into the offenders’ perspective and aims to enhance memory recall. We apply this method among a sample of incarcerated burglars (N=200) who scouted neighborhoods in immersive virtual reality to explore possibilities for committing a burglary. Subsequently, they viewed back a screen recording of their scouting process and simultaneously ‘thought aloud’ about their assessment of the environment and the decision-making strategies they employed. Emerging themes were then further examined in an interview. Rich and detailed insights into participants' interpretation of the environment and their decision-making strategies were obtained. VR-RTA assisted in verbalizing automated cognitive processes and increased engagement by building rapport. That is, the method allows for capturing in the moment considerations underlying decision making during the crime commission process. We conclude that the VR-RTA method is a useful complement to other methods of data collection, such as interviews and survey approaches, and also enhance virtual reality-based research designs.

Authors 5

1. Carmen-Silva Sergiou Aachen Institute of Education and Child Studies

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, the Netherlands

2. Dominik Gerstner

   Max Planck Society · Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law

   Affiliation as printed

   Max Planck Institute for Crime, Security and Law

   Criminology Department, Max Planck Institute for Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg, Germany

3. Claire Nee

   University of Portsmouth

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Portsmouth

   Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom

4. Henk Elffers Aachen Institute of Education and Child Studies

   Leiden University · Max Planck Society · Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law · Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement

   Affiliation as printed

   NSCR

   Criminology Department, Max Planck Institute for Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg, Germany

   Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, the Netherlands

   Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, the Netherlands

5. Jean‐Louis van Gelder corresponding

   Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law

   Affiliation as printed

   Max Planck Institute for Crime, Security and Law