Beyond Self-Reported Scales and Psychometric Tests: Virtual Reality as a Tool for Measuring Self-Control and Predicting Victimization

This study uses immersive Virtual Reality to introduce a new behavioral measure of self-control and compares its predictive validity for victimization with traditional psychometric assessments. Self-control, a key construct in the Self-Control Theory, is often linked to victimization risk. However,...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Authors: Cocco, Edoardo (Author) ; Chopin, Julien (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Victims & offenders
Year: 2025, Volume: 20, Issue: 8, Pages: 1577-1597
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Virtual Reality
risk propensity
avoidance of victimization
Self-control
Description
Summary:This study uses immersive Virtual Reality to introduce a new behavioral measure of self-control and compares its predictive validity for victimization with traditional psychometric assessments. Self-control, a key construct in the Self-Control Theory, is often linked to victimization risk. However, conventional self-reported scales and psychometric tools struggle to accurately capture real-world manifestations of this dynamic trait. These limitations hindered the application of the theory in developing prevention programs. VR technology offers a unique solution by simulating plausible, controlled risk scenarios, enabling direct observation of participants’ decision-making. A sample of 160 participants completed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) and navigated a VR urban environment, choosing between well-maintained and disorderly paths. Behavioral indicators of self-control were derived from their choices in the VR scenario. VR-based measure of risk avoidance was a stronger predictor of physical victimization than the BART, highlighting its potential to capture nuanced decision-making processes linked to environmental risk cues. These findings support the value of VR in criminological research and its potential applications in prevention programs. By providing actionable insights into risk-related behaviors, VR-based methods can bridge theoretical constructs and practical interventions, particularly in reducing victimization risks in urban environments.
ISSN:1556-4991
DOI:10.1080/15564886.2025.2492262