Criminology studies have posited theories based on the assumption that environmental features (e.g., street lighting, housing design) shape offenders’ perceptions of risk and reward. In a new study, researchers used virtual reality (VR) to determine how incarcerated burglars evaluated a neighborhood with houses that differed in features. The study found that offenders adjusted their perceptions of risk and reward in response to environmental features.
Virtual reality study reveals how burglars weigh risk and reward in response to environmental features
