The Offender’s Perception of Race and Disorder in Criminal Opportunities: A Virtual Enactment Approach

• In Event: Decisions, Dangers, and Deterrence: New Perspectives on Offender Choice

Abstract

Despite Broken Windows Theory's (BWT) influence on crime policy, empirical support is inconsistent. This may stem from assuming a universal meaning of disorder and neglecting offender perspectives. To address this gap, this study examined how neighborhood-level factors—specifically, perceived racial composition and disorder—shape offender perceptions of criminal opportunities. Using virtual reality and a “think aloud protocol”, this 2 (all-White vs. All-Black) x 2 (orderly vs. disorderly) factorial study examined how perceived neighborhood racial composition and disorder shape offender perceptions of criminal opportunities. 150 incarcerated men were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions. Participants were told to explore for burglary opportunities, verbalize their thoughts, and complete an “In-VR” survey assessing perceived risk and rewards of breaking into homes. The results indicate that disorder, racial composition, and an offender’s own race influence the perceived benefits, the level of collective efficacy, and the likelihood of police involvement if a crime were to occur. However, the likelihood of breaking into a house was unaffected. By combining the qualitative with the quantitative data, the generally null findings appear to be due to heterogeneity in respondent interpretation and meaning drawn from disorder and race.

Authors

• William Patrick McClanahan, University of Alabama

• Daniel S. Nagin, Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University

• Marco Otte, The Network Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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

• Jean-Louis van Gelder, Max-Planck-Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law