The Impact of Social Influence and Threat Uncertainty on Behavior in a School Shooting Simulation

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/av25r_v1
• Publication Date: 2025-04-08T19:26:10Z
• Authors: Kevin Kapadia; Nutchanon Yongsat...; Katie Byrd; Stacy Marsella; Richard John

As the frequency of school shooting incidents grows in United States, understanding student behavior response to shootings is crucial for policy development. A total 545 participants from Prolific.com participated an immersive virtual experience on a computer screen simulation using 3x3 factorial design varying social influence (all run, all hide, or mixed) non-player characters (NPCs) and threat uncertainty (high, medium, low) proximity where begins. Results showed that were more likely hide as NPCs hid high medium conditions. However, when was low, most mixed condition. Similarly, evacuate ran away this effect not significant low. Participants reported increase negative affect after completing simulation; approximately 40% influenced their behavior, 25% they had received active shooter training before. Our findings suggest individuals are follow others, whether realize it not. Furthermore, strongest high. These insights can help policymakers construct effective guidelines how should respond scenarios reduce casualties.