BACKGROUND
To provide participants with a more real and immersive intervening experience, virtual reality, and/or augmented reality technologies have been integrated into some bystander intervention training programs and studies measuring bystander behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
The study focuses on whether virtual reality and/or augmented reality can be used as a tool to enhance training bystanders. We review the evidence from empirical studies that use virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) as a tool for examining bystander behaviors in the domain of interpersonal violence research.
METHODS
Two librarians searched for articles in databases, including APA PsycInfo (Ovid), Criminal Justice Abstracts (EBSCO), Medline (Ovid), Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ProQuest), Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), and Scopus till April 15, 2020. Studies focusing on bystander behaviors in conflict situations were included. All study types (except reviews) written in English in any disciplines were included.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 12,972 articles from six databases, and the articles were imported into Covidence. Eleven studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All 11 articles examined the use of VR as a tool for studying bystander behaviors. Most of the studies were conducted in US young adults. Types of interpersonal violence were school bullying, dating violence, sexual violence/assault, and soccer-associated violence. Virtual reality technology was used as an observational measure and bystander intervention program. We evaluate the different use of VR for bystander behaviors and a lack of empirical evidence of AR as a tool. We also discuss the empirical evidence regarding the design, effectiveness, and limitations of implementing VR as a tool in the reviewed studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Reviewed results have implications and recommendations for future research in designing and implementing VR/AR technology in the area. Future studies in this area may further contribute to the use of VR as an observational measure and explore the potential use of AR for the study of bystander behaviors.
Virtual reality or augmented reality as a tool for studying bystander behaviors in interpersonal violence: a scoping review (Preprint)
