Simulating Combat to Explore Motivations Behind Why Military Members Make Costly Sacrifices

Why are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines willing to make costly sacrifices? Previous research suggests loyalty (e.g., duty) to teammates is important among other reasons. More recently, studies conducted overseas have identified sacred values (i.e., values held so deeply they are immune to material tradeoffs) and group identity fusion as primary factors. Importantly, however, these studies have been conducted using survey-based and other social science methods which assess attitudes and beliefs, but not behavior. For example, it is one thing for a respondent to say they would jump on a grenade to sacrifice for their group but another to actually jump on a grenade in real life. Thus, we have developed a simulation to help bridge the gap between what people say and do in life-or-death scenarios. This high-fidelity simulation was developed to provide a more immersive means of testing realistic, “shoot or no shoot” hostage scenarios. Using feedback from individuals with military experience, the scenarios were designed to elicit more real-life stress than attitude-based surveys. This paper describes the systems engineering process we used to design the simulation as well as the proof-of-concept study developed to explore reasons behind why people are willing to make costly sacrifices. Early pilot data have revealed that values and identities related to religion, risk to self, and the Air Force predicted engagement decisions of Air Force cadets, in a series of simulated hostage scenarios. Possibilities for future use of this simulation will also be discussed. For example, while this experimental setup lacks high stakes consequences, this simulation could be useful for selection and training in addition to a research tool for studying motivations in different simulated combat environments.