Choosing Violence: Rationality, Experientiality, and the Split-Second Decision to Shoot in Self-Defense

• In Event: Bystander Behavior and Intervention Strategies in Contexts of Violence

Abstract

Estimates suggest that 40% of Americans live in a household with a gun, while 32% own a gun personally. The majority (72%) of those gun owners cite self-defense as a key reason they own guns (see Gerdes, 2023). However, little is known about the capabilities of civilians to effectively defend themselves or others in a violent event. Research has begun to examine cognitive processes in the decision to commit crime, and studies suggest the dual process model is a promising approach to understanding criminal decision-making. Despite these advancements, the cognitive processes deployed by private citizens in the decision to use deadly force in self-defense remain largely unexplored. Our project addresses this substantial gap in research by identifying cognitive and social characteristics that predict appropriate deployment of deadly force (i.e., shooting when presented with an imminent deadly threat, and refraining when not presented with an imminent deadly threat). Building on previous research, we conduct a randomized controlled trial to test respondents’ performance of self-defense in a series of simulated real-time violent encounters. The project addresses several research questions regarding the roles of affinity and experience with firearms, rational and experiential cognition, and emotion in the decision to commit violence.

Authors

• Gabriel T. Cesar, Florida Atlantic University

• Gizelle Anzures, Florida Atlantic University

• Diana Sun, Florida Atlantic University

• Hyunjung Cheon, University of Texas at El Paso