• Self-Assessment Tests on the 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-assessment 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. Take a copy of your results with you for your session to show your therapist as well.

Defeatist Mentality Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims

Defeatist Mentality Self-Assessment Test

A self-assessment test designed for scam victims to help determine if they may be harboring a defeatist mentality that can affect their ability to recover.

Instructions:

Read each statement and select the response that best reflects or that you agree with your feelings or behaviors. Be honest with yourself for the most accurate assessment.

Scale:

  • 1 – Strongly Disagree / Never
  • 2 – Disagree / Rarely
  • 3 – Neutral / Sometimes
  • 4 – Agree / Often
  • 5 – Strongly Agree / Always

Defeatist Mentality Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims

Defeatist Mentality Indicators:

1: I tend to expect the worst possible outcome in most situations.(Required)
2: When faced with a new challenge, I quickly feel overwhelmed and consider giving up.(Required)
3: I often think that trying harder won’t change the result, so I don’t put in much effort.(Required)
4: I believe that my efforts are usually pointless because things rarely work out for me.(Required)
5: When others encourage me to keep going, I feel like they don’t understand how hopeless the situation is.(Required)
6: I find it hard to imagine positive outcomes, even in situations where others are optimistic.(Required)
7: I often tell myself that there's no point in trying because I'm just going to fail anyway.(Required)
8: I feel like nothing I do will ever be good enough, so why bother?(Required)
9: I frequently compare my challenges to those of others and conclude that mine are impossible to overcome.(Required)
10: When faced with setbacks, I often think that it's a sign that I should just give up.(Required)
11: I feel like most of my goals are unattainable, no matter how hard I try.(Required)
12: I find myself avoiding new opportunities because I assume they will end in failure.(Required)

Finish

Please Select Your Gender(Required)
Terms & Conditions(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

Total Score: Add up your scores from all the questions.

Interpretation:

    • 12-24: You likely do not have a defeatist mentality, though occasional negative thoughts may arise.
    • 25-36: You may experience some defeatist thoughts, especially in challenging situations. It might be helpful to work on building resilience and optimism.
    • 37-48: You are likely struggling with a defeatist mentality. Consider exploring strategies for positive thinking and possibly seeking support from a coach or therapist.
    • 49-60: Defeatism may be significantly impacting your life. Professional support could be beneficial in helping you develop a more positive and proactive mindset.

Next Steps:

If you scored in the higher ranges, you might consider exploring cognitive-behavioral strategies or speaking with a mental health professional to address these thought patterns. Recognizing defeatist tendencies is the first step toward overcoming them and adopting a more empowering perspective.

Reflection:

Regardless of your score, remember that experiencing trauma after being scammed is common. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and seek support. Consulting with a mental health professional can help you process your experiences and develop coping strategies.

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

Logical Fallacies Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS

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Published On: September 7th, 2024Last Updated: September 7th, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , , 285 words1.4 min readTotal Views: 713Daily Views: 1

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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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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: