b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Evaluation of Computer Games Based Firearms Training Simulation Paul Robertson Jim Bown Pat Cronin Scott Hardie

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Overview The project combines knowledge from Computing and Psychology To produce a proof of concept training simulator that focuses on the shoot/no-shoot dilemma Unlike current training this new simulation utilises games technology

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Current Provisions Part of current firearms training is done within simulators Video based Created using actors Based on real events Can not be reused Lacks interaction

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Our Approach Developed using a games engine Not static –Not the same every time –Multiple factors can be manipulated Interactive –Observer’s action affect the scenario Reusable

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY The Study Evaluate the environmental validity of the simulation Users may treat the simulation as a game Research shows officers’ decisions can be manipulated by accountability (Cronin & Reicher, 2006) If the simulation was environmentally valid, user decisions could be manipulated by external accountability

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Protocol Two groups of 45 participants each, consisting of students and members of staff Took part in a simulation session of 15 different scenarios –Five High threat scenarios –Five Medium threat scenarios –Five Low threat scenarios User decisions and reaction times were recorded

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Results

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Results Suggested significant difference between groups (p<0.018) No significant difference in reaction times (p<0.192) Results show a shift in bias for decisions making –Participants in the group with manipulation have a bias towards not shooting, while participants in the group without manipulation have a bias towards shooting

b r e a k i n g b a r r i e r s UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY Additions Currently collecting data with trained firearms officers References –Cronin, P.D.J. & Reicher, S.D. (2006). “A Study of the Factors that Influence how Senior Officer Police Crowd Events: On SIDE outside the Laboratory.” British Journal of Social Psychology, Vol. 45, pp