Exploring the relationship between burglary behaviours and burglary cognitions using immersive virtual reality

Purpose Burglary has become one of the few crimes that can be behaviourally investigated through simulating the offence in virtual reality (VR). No research on burglary has yet examined the role of offence-related social cognitions on the behaviours exhibited during the offence. Thus, this study aims to investigate the relationship between the behaviours conducted in a virtual burglary and burglary-related cognitive distortions, empathy, proclivity, emotional reactivity, immersion and task difficulty. Design/methodology/approach Fifty participants were recruited from the general community to simulate a virtual burglary offence in VR. The simulation was of a house that participants could burgle freely, containing an array of items to simulate a real-life home. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires on burglary-related cognitions and then undertake the virtual burglary, after which they completed questionnaires on their experience of the VR. Findings The results showed that both cognitive and affective empathy were related to the number of items taken. Additionally, cognitive distortions were related to the number of items taken. None of the other variables had a significant relationship with the behaviours enacted during the virtual burglary. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research paper to highlight that there is a link between antisocial cognitions and affect with simulated burglary behaviours. These results form the initial foundation of a larger perspective on identifying the potential risk factors related to burglary offending. Further research is now needed to deepen this understanding and begin developing meaningful interventions and therapeutic strategies for forensic practice.