Search results for: Tim McGuinness

Dopamine Signaling And The Neurology Of Scam Victims – 2024

Dopamine Signaling And The Neurology Of Scam Victims Principal Category: Neurology Author: • Tim McGuinness, PhD DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract: Dopamine signaling plays a crucial role in scammers' manipulation of their victims, with techniques like anchoring and association being particularly effective. In the case of cryptocurrency scams, scammers anchor their Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-05-28T08:10:37-04:00May 24th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, ♦ HORMONES & NEUROTRANSMITTERS, ♦ NEUROLOGY, 2024|Tags: Dopamine, Hormones, Neurobiology, Neurology, Neurotransmitters, Psychological Trauma, Stress, Trauma|

Scam Victim/Survivor Recovery Endpoints – 2025

Scam Victim/Survivor Recovery Endpoints A Compilation of Victim Recovery Endpoints based on the Work of the SCARS Institute with thousands of Scam Victims/Survivors Principal Category: Scam Victim Recovery // Psychology Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-11-09T02:43:05-05:00November 9th, 2025|Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • AVOIDANCE PSYCHOLOGY, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • SPECIAL REPORT, • VICARIOUS TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|

Psychological Reactive Abuse in Relationship Scams – 2025

Psychological Reactive Abuse in Relationship Scams Principal Category: Psychology of Scams - Manipulation and Control Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Psychological reactive abuse is a Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-02-24T21:07:24-05:00February 24th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PERSUASION MANIPULATION & CONTROL, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Control Mechanisms, Gaslighting, Manipulation, Psychological Reactive Abuse, Relationship Scams, Scam Victims|

Victim Complex/Victim Mentality In Relationship Scam Victims 2023

Recovery Psychology – Understanding the Victim Complex/Victim Mentality In Relationship Scam Victims Principal Category: Victim Recovery Psychology Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Vianey Gonzalez – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portions by: Robert Longley – Updated March 16, 2018 Originally Published: 2018 – Article Updated: 2023 – on www.RomanceScamsNOW.com Copyright Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-10-21T16:17:53-04:00October 14th, 2023|Categories: • ARTICLE, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2018, 2023|Tags: Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Victim Complex, Victim Mentality|

Manipulation Techniques: Confirm Not Command: Examining Fraudsters’ Use of Language to Compel Victim Compliance in Their Own Exploitation

Scam Psychology Research Confirm Not Command: Examining Fraudsters’ Use of Language to Compel Victim Compliance in Their Own Exploitation Principal Category: Victimology Authors: Elisabeth Carter Date: 25 January 2023 DOI LINK: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azac098 LICENSE: This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Source: The British Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-04-16T05:36:29-04:00November 22nd, 2023|Categories: • CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGICAL METHODS, • Manipulation Techniques, • RESEARCH STUDY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED RESEARCH, 2023|Tags: Control Mechanisms, Criminology, Fraudsters, Manipulation Techniques, Research Study, Scam Victims, United Kingdom, Victimology|

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon – Frequency Illusion Cognitive Bias – 2025

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon - Frequency Illusion Cognitive Bias Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as frequency illusion, is a cognitive bias in which people begin noticing a newly learned concept everywhere, creating the impression that its presence has suddenly increased. The effect is Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-12-06T09:05:41-05:00December 6th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ COGNITIVE BIAS, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|

SCARS Institute Scam Victim Suicide Prevention Guide For Victim Advocates – 2024

SCARS Institute Scam Victim Suicide Prevention Guide For Victim Advocates Principal Category: Scam Victim Advocates Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The SCARS Institute Guide to Suicide Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-08-20T18:06:11-04:00August 20th, 2024|Categories: • BOOK / GUIDE, ♠ ARCHIVES & LEGACY, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, 2024|Tags: Scam Victims, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Counseling, Suicide Prevention|

Psychology of Survival Mode and Scam Victims – 2024

Psychology of Survival Mode and Scam Victims Principal Category: Coping Mechanism Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Psychological survival mode is a natural, immediate response to Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-12-18T17:12:32-05:00December 18th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Coping Mechanism, Recovery, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Survival Mode|

Victimization Paradigm: Scam Victim Vulnerability – A White Paper – 2025

Victimization Paradigm: Scam Victim Vulnerability - A White Paper Principal Category: Victimology Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract: This white paper introduces a comprehensive paradigm for understanding scam victim vulnerability, proposing a multidimensional model that considers the intersection of psychological, emotional, technological, and environmental risk factors. Rather than attributing scam victimization solely to individual naivety or poor Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-05-23T13:06:40-04:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, • WHITE PAPER / CONFERENCE PAPER, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Scam Victim Vulnerabilities, Scam Victim Vulnerability, Victimization Paradigm, Victimology Paradigm|

Grain of Sand Theory in Complex Traumatized Scam Victim Psychology – 2025

Grain of Sand Theory in Complex Traumatized Scam Victim Psychology Grain of Sand Theory in Complex Systems Applies to Post-Traumatic Stress in Scam Victims Principal Category: Psychological Trauma & PTSD Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The Grain of Sand Theory describes how small, seemingly insignificant events can trigger disproportionately large consequences within Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-07-02T18:02:13-04:00July 2nd, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Grain of Sand Theory, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victim Recovery Psychology, Traumatized Scam Victim Psychology|

Fear and Anxiety Induction Manipulation Technique – 2024

Fear and Anxiety Induction Manipulation Technique Principal Category: Persuasion Manipulation & Control Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.* The Fear and Anxiety Induction manipulation technique involves creating scenarios that evoke strong emotions of fear or urgency in the victim, leading to impaired judgment and decision-making. In the context of scams, this tactic is used to overwhelm the victim, Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-08-11T21:32:43-04:00August 11th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PERSUASION MANIPULATION & CONTROL, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Fear and Anxiety Induction, Manipulation Technique|

Self-Authoring Self-Help Therapy for Traumatized Scam Victims – 2024

Self-Authoring Self-Therapy for Traumatized Scam Victims Principal Category: Scam Victim Recovery Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Self-authoring may be a transformative tool for scam victims, helping them process trauma, understand the emotional patterns that made them vulnerable, and create a new narrative for their future. By writing about the stress carried from past experiences, victims can Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-10-14T05:41:10-04:00October 14th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VIDEO, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victim Recovery Psychology, Self-Authoring, Self-Help Therapy, Trauma|

Scam Victims’ Mobilization Defense Mechanisms – 2024

Scam Victim Mobilization Defense Mechanisms How Psychological Mobilization Defense Mechanisms Activate in Scam Victims and Affect Trauma Recovery Principal Category: Psychological Coping & Defense Mechanisms Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-12-30T10:06:10-05:00December 29th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Defense Mechanisms, Mobilization, Recovery, Scam Victims, Trauma|

Expectancy Violation Theory and the Psychology of Scams – 2025

Expectancy Violation Theory and the Psychology of Scams Principal Category: Persuasion Manipulation and Control Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The Expectancy Violation Theory, Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-10-18T22:28:57-04:00October 18th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PERSUASION MANIPULATION & CONTROL, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Expectancy Violation Theory, Manipulation Techniques|

Fundamental Attribution Error Bias – Overestimate Character and Underestimate Context – Cognitive Bias – 2025

Fundamental Attribution Error Bias Overestimate Character and Underestimate Context Principal Category: Cognitive Biases & Psychological Heuristics Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The fundamental attribution error is a common shortcut that pushes you to explain behavior by blaming character while overlooking the situation that shaped it. In scams, this Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-09-24T00:45:29-04:00September 24th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ COGNITIVE BIAS, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2025|Tags: Cognitive Bias, Cognitive Biases|

Why Scam Fraud and Cybercrime Awareness Campaigns Fail and It Becomes Another Form of Scam Victim Blaming – 2024

Why Scam Fraud and Cybercrime Awareness Campaigns Fail and It Becomes Another Form of Scam Victim Blaming - 2024 In Reality, Almost All Awareness Education and Awareness Programs will Fail in Stopping Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime, and it becomes just Another Form of Scam Victim-Blaming Principal Category: Psychology of Scams Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-11-18T21:43:36-05:00November 18th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • AVOIDANCE PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Awareness Campaigns, Awareness Education, Awareness Programs, Psychology of Scams, Public Awareness, Scam Avoidance Education, Scam Victim Awareness|

Doubling – Scam Victim Psychology – 2025

Psychological Doubling A Phenomenon of the Mind in Most Scam Victims Principal Category: Scam Victim Psychology Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Psychological doubling is a defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously divides the self into two distinct operational identities: one that retains emotional or moral stability, and another that engages in actions that violate Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-06-14T14:26:45-04:00June 14th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Coping Mechanism, Defense Mechanism, Doubling, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victim Psychology, Trauma|

Derealization in Scam Victims – Dissociative Response – 2025

Derealization in Scam Victims - Dissociative Response When Reality Breaks: Understanding Derealization in Scam Victims Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Author: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-07-27T13:53:07-04:00July 27th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Derealization, Dissociative Disorder|

Enduring Neurological Consequences of Psychological Betrayal Trauma – 2025

Enduring Neurological Consequences of Psychological Betrayal Trauma Principal Category: Scam Victim Neurology Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Based, in part, on: - "The Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-07-07T22:37:46-04:00July 7th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Betrayal Trauma, Neurological Consequences, Neurology|

Opponent Processing in Scam Victims – Before and During the Scam – 2025

Opponent Processing in Scam Victims - Before and During the Scam Opponent Processing - a Cognitive Function that Can Increase Scam Victim Vulnerability Principal Category: Psychology/Neurology Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract: Opponent Processing and Its Role in Scam Victimization and Denial Opponent processing is a cognitive and neurological function that regulates perception, emotion, and decision-making Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-02-18T23:17:50-05:00February 18th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Neurology, Opponent Process Theory, Opponent Processing, Psychology|

The Emergence of Scams and Fraud as an Evolutionary Pressure: An Analysis of Psychological Resilience and Survival in the Modern Digital Age – 2024

The Emergence of Scams and Fraud as an Evolutionary Pressure: An Analysis of Psychological Resilience and Survival in the Modern Digital Age Principal Category: Social Science Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract: The rise of online scams and fraud presents a novel challenge to modern human populations, exploiting psychological vulnerabilities rather than physical traits. This paper Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-10-17T11:28:08-04:00October 17th, 2024|Categories: • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, • WHITE PAPER / CONFERENCE PAPER, ♦ FEATURED RESEARCH, 2024|

Relationship Scams and Other Forms of Addiction – Recovery Psychology Overview – 2024

Relationship Scams and Other Forms of Addiction Understanding the Differences Between Relationship Scam Victims' Addiction and Other Forms of Addiction Principal Category: Addiction - Recovery Psychology Overview Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-11-11T20:37:53-05:00November 11th, 2024|Categories: • ADDICTION, • ARTICLE, • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Addiction, Chatbots, Gabling, Relationship Scams, Scam Victims, Substance Abuse|

Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Adult Scam Victims – 2025

Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Adult Scam Victims Principal Category: Disorders / Behavior Patterns Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract Oppositional defiant disorder in adulthood involves persistent anger, frequent arguments, and reflexive defiance toward limits and feedback. Patterns intensify under stress and often overlap with trauma, ADHD, anxiety, depression, pain, or substance use. Recognition rests on Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-09-21T11:06:52-04:00September 21st, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Behavior Patterns, Disorders|

The Libet Experiments and Its Implications for Scam Victims and Victimization – 2024

The Libet Experiments and Its Implications for Scam Victims and Victimization The Libet Experiments and the Neurology of Decision-Making: An Insight into Why People Fall for Scams and Become Scam Victims Principal Category: Scam Victim Neurology & Psychology Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-12-07T18:01:46-05:00December 7th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PERSUASION MANIPULATION & CONTROL, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ COGNITIVE BIAS, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Decision Making, Impulses, Libet Experiment, Reactions, Scam Victimization, Scam Victims|

Reductive Thinking – A Maladaptive Coping Mechanism – An Enemy Of Scam Victims Recovery – 2024

Reductive Thinking - A Maladaptive Coping Mechanism* An Enemy Of Scam Victims Recovery Principal Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. * Note: For the ease Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-07-03T09:24:11-04:00July 3rd, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Coping Mechanism, Mentality, Recovery Psychology, Reductive, Scam Victims, Scam Victims Recovery, Thinking, Trauma|

‘Trauma Time’ – Life While Triggered – 2024

'Trauma Time' - Life While Triggered Helping Scam Victims to Understand the Trauma Response Experience Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-07-08T08:02:13-04:00July 8th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • SOMATIC/PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF TRAUMA, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2024|Tags: Psychological Trauma, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Psychology, Trauma, Trauma Time, Traumatic Triggers, Triggered|

The Big 5 Personality Traits and Scam Victims – 2025

The Big 5 Personality Traits and Scam Victims Principal Category: Psychology of Scams Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract This article examines how the Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-05-28T00:30:52-04:00May 28th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Neuroticism, Openness, Personality Traits, Psychology of Scams, Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victims|

The Brain’s Endocannabinoid System and its Role in Facilitating Scams & Deception – 2024

Endocannabinoid System and its Role in Facilitating Scams & Deception The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and its Role in Scam Victim Vulnerability, Retaining Victims in Scams, and Challenges During Recovery Principal Category: Authors: • SCARS Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-11-24T09:14:06-05:00November 24th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • INFOGRAPHIC, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, 2024|Tags: Brain, Deception, ECS, Endocannabinoid System, Impact on Victims, Neurology, Scam Victims, Scams|

SCARS ScamPsychology.org – Scam Victim Psychological Trauma – 2024

SCARS Psychological Trauma An Exploration of the Psychological Trauma of Scam Victims Impacted by Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime The following is our ever-expanding collection of articles and publications authored by members of the SCARS Team These articles are intended to be useful introductions for psychologists, criminologists, sociologists, law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, policy decision-makers, care providers, and the victims/survivors of these crimes or their families. For research and studies visit that section Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-10-06T19:36:00-04:00August 20th, 2024|

SCARS ScamPsychology.org – Manual of Scam Psychology – 2024

SCARS Manual of Scam Psychology™ A Comprehensive Exploration of the Psychological Processes, Impacts, and Recovery Approaches Associated with Various Types of Deception, specifically including Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime The following is our ever-expanding collection of articles and publications authored by members of the SCARS Team This manual is intended to be useful for psychologists, criminologists, sociologists, law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, policy decision-makers, care providers, and the victims/survivors of these crimes or their Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-08-28T02:58:17-04:00February 25th, 2024|

SCARS Manual Of Cognitive Biases – 2025

SCARS Manual of Cognitive Biases - 2025 The Range Of Psychological Biases That Affect Scam Victims and Every Human Biases Play a Major Role In Scam Victim Vulnerability & Susceptibility To Scams, as well as How Well they will Recover from them Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-12-06T09:06:51-05:00April 12th, 2024|

The Spotlight Effect – Cognitive Bias – 2025

The Spotlight Effect - Cognitive Bias Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The spotlight effect is a cognitive bias that causes individuals to overestimate the extent to which others notice, judge, or focus on their mistakes. For scam victims, this bias plays a critical role in shaping their psychological responses during and after the scam. Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-03-05T05:59:50-05:00March 5th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ COGNITIVE BIAS, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2025|Tags: Cognitive Bias, Cognitive Biases, Social Anxiety, Spotlight Effect|

Anomia – A Typically Temporary Neurological Disorder in Severely Traumatized Scam Victims – 2025

Anomia - A Typically Temporary Neurological Disorder in Severely Traumatized Scam Victims Principal Category: Scam Victim Neurology Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract This article explores the concept of trauma-related Anomia, a temporary neurological disruption that often affects scam victims in the aftermath of their victimization. Anomia, the inability to retrieve words or express thoughts clearly Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-04-27T16:31:19-04:00April 27th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Anomia, Memory, Neurological Disorder, Scam Victims, Trauma|

Trauma Response – The Human ‘Prey Animal Response System’ and Scam Victims – 2025

The 'Prey Animal Response System' and Scam Victims - a Trauma Response The Human Mind's 'Prey Animal Response System' in Traumatized Scam Victims - Before, During, and Long After the Scam Principal Category: Psychology of Scams and Scam Victim Recovery Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-03-04T03:18:53-05:00March 4th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • AVOIDANCE PSYCHOLOGY, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Defense Mechanisms, Neurology, Prey Animal Response System, Psychology, Psychology of Scams, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victims, The Mind, Trauma Responses|

Avoidance Psychology: Scam Victim Passivity During Recovery – 2025

Scam Victim Passivity During Recovery Principal Category: Avoidance Psychology Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez, B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract This article explores the psychological and neurobiological reasons why Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-05-07T10:06:23-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • AVOIDANCE PSYCHOLOGY, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Avoidance Mechanisms, Coping Mechanisms, Coping Strategies, Guilt, Passivity, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery Psychology, Shame|

The Onset of Psychological Trauma – 2024

The Onset of Psychological Trauma Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portion from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health The Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-09-15T13:12:06-04:00September 15th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • SOMATIC/PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Emotional Trauma, Neurology, Polyvagal Theory, Psychological Trauma, Scam Victim Recovery Psychology, Somatic Effects, Vagus Nerve|

SCARS Institute Manual Of Logical Fallacies – 2024

SCARS Manual of Logical Fallacies - 2024 The Range Of Logical Fallacies That Affect Scam Victims and Every Human Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument or decision-making by relying on flawed logic, misleading tactics, or irrelevant information. Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-10-11T05:52:10-04:00October 11th, 2024|

Deep Psychological Depression and the Effects it has on Scam Victim Recovery – 2025

Deep Psychological Depression and the Effects it has on Scam Victim Recovery The Paralyzing Effects of Deep Psychological Depression on Scam Victims and How It Halts Recovery Principal Category: Scam Victim Psychological Disorders Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-02-16T00:43:30-05:00February 16th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Depression, Mental Disorder, Psychological, Psychology, Scam Victim Psychology, Scam Victims, Self-Compassion|

Psychological Displacement and Scam Victims – 2025

Psychological Displacement and Scam Victims Psychological Displacement and Scam Victim Recovery: Understanding the Hidden Struggles Principal Category: Psychological Defense Mechanisms Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist with Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-04-26T04:40:08-04:00April 26th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Defense Mechanism, Defense Mechanisms, Neurology, Psychological Trauma, Psychology, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Trauma|

How Scammers Hijack and Manipulate the Brain’s Construction of Self – 2024

How Scammers Hijack and Manipulate the Brain's Construction of Self The Mechanics of Brain Manipulation and Control of a Person's 'Self' Principal Category: Psychology of Scams Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The brain constructs the self and our perception of reality through a complex interplay of sensory inputs, memory, emotions, and social influences. This process involves Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-08-16T02:07:19-04:00August 16th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PERSUASION MANIPULATION & CONTROL, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Brain, Hijack, Manipulate, Manipulation, Scammers, Self|

The Neurology of Thought – An Overview: How the Brain and Body Work Together to Enable Thinking – 2024

The Neurology of Thought - An Overview: How the Brain and Body Work Together to Enable Thinking Principal Category: Victim Neurology Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-12-21T10:11:42-05:00December 21st, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • SOMATIC/PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF TRAUMA, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, 2024|Tags: Body, Mind, Neurology, Scam Victims, Scam Victims Recovery, Somatic, Thought|

Psychological Denial – A Maladaptive Coping Mechanism In Scam Victims – 2024

Psychological Denial A Psychological Defense and Maladaptive Coping Mechanism In Scam Victims Principal Category: Coping Mechanisms Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. This article examines and Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-06-15T17:59:59-04:00June 15th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2024|Tags: Defense Mechanism, Denial, Maladaptive Coping Mechanism, Scam Victims|

Self-Help Written Exposure Therapy (WET) For Scam Victim Recovery – 2024

Self-Help Written Exposure Therapy (WET) For Scam Victim Recovery Principal Category: Scam Victim Recovery Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Scams, especially those involving betrayal, can cause severe emotional distress, including PTSD. Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is an emerging, evidence-based approach designed to treat PTSD by having individuals write about their traumatic experiences in a structured way, aiding Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-06-12T22:26:49-04:00June 12th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victims, Self-Help, WET, Written Exposure Therapy|

The Cause of Scam Victims’ Trauma: Losing the Belief – the Fantasy – the Delusions – 2024

The Cause of Scam Victims' Trauma: Losing the Belief - the Fantasy - the Delusions Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portion from the U.S. National Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-09-19T10:22:07-04:00September 19th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Cognitive Dissonance, Delusions, Reality Check, Relationship Scams, Scam Victims|

The Connection Between Psychological Betrayal Trauma and Diabetes – 2025

The Connection Between Psychological Betrayal Trauma and Diabetes Principal Category: Neurology of Scam Victims / Somatic Effects of Scam Victimization Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract Psychological betrayal trauma, particularly stemming from long-term deception or emotional manipulation by trusted individuals, can produce lasting disruptions in both psychological and physiological systems. This article Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-07-08T01:12:22-04:00July 8th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • SOMATIC/PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF TRAUMA, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: Betrayal Trauma, Diabetes, Psychological Betrayal Trauma|

Persecutory Delusions in Scam Victims – 2024

Persecutory Delusions in Scam Victims - 2024 Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Persecutory delusions are a serious mental health condition that can emerge in scam victims following the trauma of being deceived and manipulated. These delusions involve the belief that one is being targeted, harassed, or plotted against, even in the absence Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-08-28T02:53:02-04:00August 28th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Delusions, Fear, Persecutory Delusions, Recovery Psychology, Residual Fear, Scam Victims|

Psychological Inoculation: A Study to Help Scam Victims and All Resist Misinformation – 2025

Psychological Inoculation: A Study to Help Scam Victims and All Resist Misinformation Principal Category: Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Based On: Maertens, R., Roozenbeek, J., Simons, J.S. et al. - Psychological booster shots targeting memory increase long-term resistance against misinformation. Nat Commun 16, 2062 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57205-x Abstract A Nature Communications study published on March 14, Read More ...

Are Scam Awareness Programs Effective? ‘Regression to the Mean’ Offers an Insight, Maybe! 2024

Are Awareness Programs Effective? 'Regression to the Mean' Offers an Insight, Maybe! Principal Category: Criminology Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract Understanding the effectiveness of public awareness programs in reducing scams is essential for ensuring the efficient use of resources and enhancing public trust. These programs require substantial investments from governments, non-profits, and private organizations, so it is crucial Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-06-01T08:44:15-04:00June 1st, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • CRIMINOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED RESEARCH, 2024|Tags: Awareness Programs, Criminology, Regression to the Mean, Scam Avoidance Education, Victimology|

Trauma/PTSD Flashbacks and Traumatized Scam Victims – 2024

Trauma/PTSD Flashbacks and Traumatized Scam Victims Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Flashbacks are a distressing and challenging aspect of trauma recovery, particularly for scam victims who have endured significant emotional and psychological abuse. These involuntary, intense re-experiences of the traumatic event can disrupt victims' daily lives, leading to heightened anxiety, social withdrawal, Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2024-08-29T21:16:39-04:00August 29th, 2024|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2024|Tags: Betrayal Trauma, Flashbacks, Psychological Trauma, PTSD, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victim Recovery, Scam Victims|

Tonic Immobility – A Response to Trauma or Stress and Crime Victims – 2025

Tonic Immobility - A Response to Trauma or Stress and Crime Victims Understanding the Involuntary Freeze Response Principal Category: Trauma Response Authors: • Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist, Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Read More ...

SCARS Research Team2025-03-08T20:48:07-05:00March 8th, 2025|Categories: • ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • SOMATIC/PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF TRAUMA, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|Tags: fight or flight responses, Involuntary Freeze Response, playing dead, Stress Response, thanatosis, Tonic Immobility, Trauma Response|

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