Psychology Articles – Scam Psychology, Victimology, Criminology, and Sociology – 20242024-04-20T04:32:18-04:00

Psychology Articles

SCARS Articles about Scam/Fraud/Cybercrime Psychology, Victimology, Criminology, and Sociology

Articles relation to the psychology of scams, the exploitation by criminals, and their function and impact in scam victims.

Psychology & Related Articles on SCARS ScamPsychology.org

Featured Articles

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, 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 Read More ...

SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – 2024

SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims 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 Read More ...

Neurology of Scams: Scam Victims’ Main Brain Regions Affected By Scams & Trauma – 2024

Scam Victims' Main Brain Regions Affected By Scams & Trauma Principal Category: Neurology of Scams Author: •  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Scams and trauma primarily affect several key parts of the brain, including Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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, Director Read More ...

Understanding the Polyvagal Theory and How it Applies to Scam Victims – 2024

Understanding Polyvagal Theory and How it Applies to Scam Victims 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, Read More ...

The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams

The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams Principal Category: Somatic/Physical Effects Of 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. Read More ...

Behavioral Modification for Scam Victims to Overcome Cognitive Biases, Emotional Decision-Making, and Logical Fallacies

How to Guide: Behavioral Modification for Scam Victims to Overcome Biases, Emotional Decision-Making, and Logical Fallacies Principal Category: Behavior Modification Author: •  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Behavioral modification is a critical tool for Read More ...

Psychology Articles

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, 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 Read More ...

The Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy and Its Role in Scam Victimization – A Logical Fallacy – 2024

The Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy and Its Role in Scam Victimization - A Logical Fallacy Principal Category: Logical Fallacy Author:  •  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy, which suggests that Read More ...

SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – 2024

SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims 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 Read More ...

Neurology of Scams: Scam Victims’ Main Brain Regions Affected By Scams & Trauma – 2024

Scam Victims' Main Brain Regions Affected By Scams & Trauma Principal Category: Neurology of Scams Author: •  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Scams and trauma primarily affect several key parts of the brain, including Read More ...

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 Read More ...

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, Director Read More ...

Understanding the Polyvagal Theory and How it Applies to Scam Victims – 2024

Understanding Polyvagal Theory and How it Applies to Scam Victims 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, Read More ...

The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams

The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams Principal Category: Somatic/Physical Effects Of 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. Read More ...

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 Resources:

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