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.
Featured Articles
Trauma: The Relationship Between Psychological Trauma, PTSD, and Physical Pain – 2024
Trauma: The Relationship Between Psychological Trauma, PTSD, and Physical Pain Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Based on additional research referenced in the article A groundbreaking study conducted Read More ...
Secrets Can Be Deadly For Scam Victims – Recovery Psychology 2023
Recovery Psychology – Secrets Can Be Deadly For 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 Read More ...
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 Read More ...
Psychology Articles
Cognitive Bias: Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Fallacy Or This Then That
Cognitive Bias: Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Fallacy Or 'This Then That' Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc fallacy, attributing causation based solely Read More ...
Cognitive Bias: Just-World Bias
Cognitive Bias: Just-World Bias Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The Just-World Bias convinces individuals that the world operates fairly, attributing consequences to deserving actions. In the context of Read More ...
Cognitive Bias: Self-Serving Bias
Cognitive Bias: Self-Serving Bias Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The Self-Serving Bias, a cognitive tendency, leads individuals to attribute success to their abilities and efforts, while blaming external Read More ...
Cognitive Bias: False Consensus Effect Bias
Cognitive Bias: False Consensus Effect Bias Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The False Consensus Effect Bias leads individuals to overestimate the prevalence of their beliefs and behaviors among Read More ...
Trauma: The Relationship Between Psychological Trauma, PTSD, and Physical Pain – 2024
Trauma: The Relationship Between Psychological Trauma, PTSD, and Physical Pain Principal Category: Psychological Trauma Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Based on additional research referenced in the article A groundbreaking study conducted Read More ...
Cognitive Bias: Illusion Of Control
Cognitive Bias: Illusion Of Control Principal Category: Cognitive Biases Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The Illusion of Control Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate their ability to control or Read More ...
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 Read More ...
Secrets Can Be Deadly For Scam Victims – Recovery Psychology 2023
Recovery Psychology – Secrets Can Be Deadly For 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 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 (this website.)
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in these articles are 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.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
SCARS Resources:
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional Support & Recovery Groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent Trauma Counselors or Therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn More about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Scammer Photos on ScammerPhotos.com
- SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org