Abstract
Objectives
Crisis and suicide negotiation are currently primarily taught through role play. One limitation of this approach is the difficulty of simulating the often dangerous environments in which crisis negotiations take place. VR offers a possibility of complementing current training methods by allowing such immersive experiences. Here we report preliminary evaluation of a new VR environment simulating suicide negotiation on a rooftop.
Methodology
In two experiments student participants were first given basic training in crisis negotiation based on the behavioural influence stairway model. In study 1 (N = 47), the training varied with regard to whether it incorporated explicit example behaviours or not. In study 2 (N = 41), the training varied with regard to error handling strategies (error prevention or error management strategies).
In both studies, after training, participants were placed within the VR simulation. Participants chose between response options to the utterances of the suicidal virtual agent using a handheld controller. To test performance, responses either aligned with their training or not. We also measured their spatial and social presence quantitatively and (study 1) qualitatively.
Results
Performance was very high in both studies, reflecting the simplified interaction experience (i.e. selecting from limited options via controller). Immersion via social and spatial presence was good, and social presence was related to perceived empathy. Qualitative analysis indicated that realism was more dependent upon social than spatial presence, indicating a need to develop more realistic interactions with the virtual agent. Training impacted participant experiences of the interactions, but not performance.
Conclusions
Our initial findings indicate VR could be a viable method for crisis negotiation training, but there is a need to develop more complex scenarios and communication so that a more realistic experience of the intricacies of crisis negotiation can be captured.
Crisis and suicide negotiation are currently primarily taught through role play. One limitation of this approach is the difficulty of simulating the often dangerous environments in which crisis negotiations take place. VR offers a possibility of complementing current training methods by allowing such immersive experiences. Here we report preliminary evaluation of a new VR environment simulating suicide negotiation on a rooftop.
Methodology
In two experiments student participants were first given basic training in crisis negotiation based on the behavioural influence stairway model. In study 1 (N = 47), the training varied with regard to whether it incorporated explicit example behaviours or not. In study 2 (N = 41), the training varied with regard to error handling strategies (error prevention or error management strategies).
In both studies, after training, participants were placed within the VR simulation. Participants chose between response options to the utterances of the suicidal virtual agent using a handheld controller. To test performance, responses either aligned with their training or not. We also measured their spatial and social presence quantitatively and (study 1) qualitatively.
Results
Performance was very high in both studies, reflecting the simplified interaction experience (i.e. selecting from limited options via controller). Immersion via social and spatial presence was good, and social presence was related to perceived empathy. Qualitative analysis indicated that realism was more dependent upon social than spatial presence, indicating a need to develop more realistic interactions with the virtual agent. Training impacted participant experiences of the interactions, but not performance.
Conclusions
Our initial findings indicate VR could be a viable method for crisis negotiation training, but there is a need to develop more complex scenarios and communication so that a more realistic experience of the intricacies of crisis negotiation can be captured.
| Original language | English |
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| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Jul 2024 |
| Event | Annual Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law, EAPL 2024 - Egas Moniz School of Health and Science, Monte de Caparica, Portugal Duration: 9 Jul 2024 → 12 Jul 2024 https://www.eapl2024.com/welcome |
Conference
| Conference | Annual Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law, EAPL 2024 |
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| Abbreviated title | EAPL 2024 |
| Country/Territory | Portugal |
| City | Monte de Caparica |
| Period | 9/07/24 → 12/07/24 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Crisis Negotiation
- Suicide Negotiation
- Behavioural Influence Stairway Model
- Error Management
- Virtual Reality
- VR
