• Scam Victim Psychology - on SCARS Institute ScamPsychology.org

Welcome to the SCARS INSTITUTE Journal of Scam Psychology

A Journal of Applied Scam, Fraud, and Cybercrime Psychology – and Allied Sciences

A dedicated site for psychology, victimology, criminology, applied sociology and anthropology, and allied sciences, published by the SCARS INSTITUTE™ – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Decision-Making Test For Scam Victims

Please Note:

This self-test was developed by the scientists and psychologists at the SCARS Institute based on our experience interacting with very large numbers of scam victims. This is not a diagnosis of a mental condition. It is simply to give you an awareness of the subject. We recommend that you contact a mental healthcare professional, such as a counselor or therapist to explore this further.

Cognitive Biases Self-Assessment Test

Are You Heavily Influenced by Cognitive Biases After Your Scam?

This self-test is designed to help you identify if you are still influenced by cognitive biases after a scam has ended. Answer each question honestly based on your feelings and thoughts.

Instructions:

Reflect on your current relationship and read each statement carefully. Use the following scale to rate your responses:

1 – Strongly Disagree
2 – Disagree
3 – Neutral
4 – Agree
5 – Strongly Agree

Self-Assessment Test: Top 12 Cognitive Biases Self-Test for Scam Victims

Standard Cognitive Biases Indicators:

1 - Confirmation Bias: I often seek out information or opinions that confirm my beliefs about the scam and ignore those that challenge my perspective.(Required)
2 - Hindsight Bias: I frequently think to myself that I should have seen the scam coming and that it was obvious in retrospect.(Required)
3 - Anchoring Bias: I find myself fixating on the first piece of information I received about the scam or the scammer, even if it has been proven false.(Required)
4 - Overconfidence Bias: Despite what happened, I still believe that I can’t be fooled again, and I’m confident I can spot a scam easily now.(Required)
5 - Sunk Cost Fallacy: I continue to dwell on the money I lost to the scam, believing that it’s still important to try and recover what I can, even if it’s unlikely.(Required)
6 - Self-Serving Bias: I tend to blame the scammer or external factors entirely for what happened, without recognizing any personal vulnerabilities or areas for growth.(Required)
7 - Negativity Bias: I find it hard to focus on anything positive after the scam and often dwell on the worst aspects of what happened.(Required)
8 - Availability Heuristic: I often think that scams are more common than they actually are because of my experience, and I expect to be targeted again.(Required)
9 - Framing Effect: The way the scam was explained to me by others (media, friends, etc.) heavily influences how I feel about it and what I think should have been done.(Required)
10 - Bandwagon Effect: I feel a strong urge to follow the advice or opinions of others who have been scammed, even if their situations were different from mine.(Required)
11 - Dunning-Kruger Effect: I believe I have a good understanding of how scams work now, even though I haven’t done extensive research or sought expert advice.(Required)
12 - Illusion of Control Bias: I think that I can control or influence outcomes related to scams or avoid future scams purely through my own actions, despite knowing that scammers are highly skilled manipulators.(Required)

Finish

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Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

  • 1-24 Points: Low influence of cognitive biases – You seem to have processed the scam with a balanced perspective and may have a healthy approach to recovery.
  • 25-42 Points: Moderate influence of cognitive biases – You might still be under the influence of some biases. Consider reflecting on these areas and seeking guidance to challenge your thought processes.
  • 43-60 Points: High influence of cognitive biases – It’s likely that cognitive biases are significantly affecting your recovery. Working with a therapist or counselor could help you address these biases and aid in your healing process.

Visit our Catalog of Cognitive Biases to learn more about them – click here

Next Steps

If you find that cognitive biases are still influencing your thoughts and behaviors, it’s important to recognize them as normal responses to trauma. However, overcoming these biases is key to your recovery. Consider seeking support from a counselor, joining a support group, or engaging in educational resources to help reframe your thinking and aid your recovery.

Find a counselor or therapist here: counseling.AgainstScams.org

Cognitive Biases Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS
Published On: August 8th, 2024Last Updated: August 9th, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , 334 words1.7 min readTotal Views: 1236Daily Views: 2

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A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

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On Other Articles

A Note About Labeling!

We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology, neurology, and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in these articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also, please read our SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

SCARS Institute Resources: