Visual Attention and Virtual Violence: Exploring Emotion-Situation Dynamics

• In Event: Emotions and Ethical Evaluation in Criminal Decision-Making: Insights from Immersive Technologies

Abstract

This study revisits the interplay between emotions and situational appraisals of the risks, costs, and benefits of the decision to engage in violence. Approximately 300 male participants experienced an immersive 360° virtual scenario where they witnessed a physical confrontation and later were confronted themselves. In addition to survey items capturing subjective emotions and decision-making inputs, we introduce a behavioral measure of visual attention linking emotions and criminal decision-making processes. Attention was captured with participant’s eye movement the virtual environment. This method is less susceptible to subjective biases compared to traditional survey methods. The study will replicate past research on the role of emotions in criminal decision-making and promotes the use of immersive technologies for studying criminal decision making in emotional settings.

Author

• Max Knabe, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich