Uncovering the mental mechanisms behind acts of rule breaking: A test of Situational Action Theory’s situational model using experimental video scenarios and process tracing techniques

• In Event: Morality and moral decision making

Abstract

Situational Action Theory (SAT) and its perception-choice process (PCP) explain how individual traits and contextual factors interact to influence criminal behavior by examining the cognitive mechanisms that connect causally relevant variables and their interactions to behavior. Testing this model presents eminent methodological challenges, especially with regards to gathering data characterizing not only person and setting characteristics but also decision processes. This study employs the experimental video scenarios technique embedded into an online survey, capturing important psychometric properties as well as behavioral intentions of participants. The scenarios were experimentally manipulated through the presence or absence of an observer in the setting. The study further provides measured insights into participants' decision-making processes using process tracing techniques. The focus was on investigating individuals’ tendencies to avoid responsibility for accidentally damaging someone else’s property. A diverse group of adults in the UK (N = 710) participated via the Prolific online recruitment platform. The results provide support for many theoretical predictions, while findings that contradict the theory offer valuable insights into ongoing theoretical discussions.

Author

• Christoph Herrmann, University of Cambridge