TY - JOUR

T1 - Examining illicit networks in laboratory experiments with a preliminary focus on communication

AU - Neequaye, David A.

AU - Granhag, Pär Anders

AU - Segerberg, Andreas

AU - Petterson, Daniel

PY - 2023/2/28

Y1 - 2023/2/28

N2 - PurposeThis research introduces a web application, the bot orchestrator, to assist researchers in developing paradigms to examine illicit networks in experiments. We implemented the application and a new paradigm to create mock networks using strangers. The proof-of-concept experiment examined communication when networks plan illicit activities.MethodParticipants assumed the role of an illicit network member—either a manager, a coordinator or an executor. They held some information the group needed to accomplish either a material or ideological goal: communication between the roles was imperative for success. We also manipulated the level of risk associated with communicating about the planning activities. For half of the participants, there was a moderate risk of communicating about the plans. For the other half, the risk of such communication was high. The procedure allowed us to examine who a network member was willing to communicate with, given the goal under pursuit and the associated risk level.ResultsAlthough goal-type, risk level, and the Goal-type × Risk Interaction did not significantly predict communication decisions, a content analysis suggested that participants were attempting to navigate the risks while pursuing their goals. Participants employed diverse communication strategies: individual differences explained the most variance regarding how network members communicate.ConclusionsWe hope the web application and paradigm this research introduces will facilitate further experiments examining illicit networks.

AB - PurposeThis research introduces a web application, the bot orchestrator, to assist researchers in developing paradigms to examine illicit networks in experiments. We implemented the application and a new paradigm to create mock networks using strangers. The proof-of-concept experiment examined communication when networks plan illicit activities.MethodParticipants assumed the role of an illicit network member—either a manager, a coordinator or an executor. They held some information the group needed to accomplish either a material or ideological goal: communication between the roles was imperative for success. We also manipulated the level of risk associated with communicating about the planning activities. For half of the participants, there was a moderate risk of communicating about the plans. For the other half, the risk of such communication was high. The procedure allowed us to examine who a network member was willing to communicate with, given the goal under pursuit and the associated risk level.ResultsAlthough goal-type, risk level, and the Goal-type × Risk Interaction did not significantly predict communication decisions, a content analysis suggested that participants were attempting to navigate the risks while pursuing their goals. Participants employed diverse communication strategies: individual differences explained the most variance regarding how network members communicate.ConclusionsWe hope the web application and paradigm this research introduces will facilitate further experiments examining illicit networks.

KW - communication

KW - goal pursuit

KW - illicit networks

KW - intelligence gathering

KW - risk perception

U2 - 10.1111/lcrp.12230

DO - 10.1111/lcrp.12230

M3 - Journal article

VL - 28

SP - 150

EP - 164

JO - Legal and Criminological Psychology

JF - Legal and Criminological Psychology

SN - 1355-3259

IS - 1

ER -