The Science Behind Scams!
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

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) – Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC) – Middle Cingulate Cortex (MCC) – Emotional Regulation Overview – 2025

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) - Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC) - Middle Cingulate Cortex (MCC) - Emotional Regulation Overview Principal Category: Neurology 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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • INFOGRAPHIC, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Forer Effect – Cognitive Bias – 2025

Forer Effect Principal Category: Cognitive Bias Author: •  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The Forer Effect highlights how easily individuals mistake vague generalizations for deeply personal insights. Named after psychologist Bertram Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, ♦ COGNITIVE BIAS, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2025|
Read More

Traumatic Event Centrality and Scam Victims – 2025

Trauma Event Centrality and 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 McGuinness, Ph.D. - Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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. Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, • WHITE PAPER / CONFERENCE PAPER, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM SUPPORT, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Phobias: Pistanthrophobia and Philophobia and their Impact on Scam Victims – 2025

Phobias: Pistanthrophobia and Philophobia - the Aftermath of Online Scams - When Trust Becomes the Greatest Casualty Principal Category: Phobias & Fears Authors:  •  Lic. 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 ...

• ARTICLE, • PHOBIAS & FEARS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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, Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • AVOIDANCE PSYCHOLOGY, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Psychology Articles

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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • COPING MECHANISMS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) – Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC) – Middle Cingulate Cortex (MCC) – Emotional Regulation Overview – 2025

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) - Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC) - Middle Cingulate Cortex (MCC) - Emotional Regulation Overview Principal Category: Neurology 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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • INFOGRAPHIC, • VICTIM NEUROLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ NEUROLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Forer Effect – Cognitive Bias – 2025

Forer Effect Principal Category: Cognitive Bias Author: •  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Abstract The Forer Effect highlights how easily individuals mistake vague generalizations for deeply personal insights. Named after psychologist Bertram Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • COGNITIVE BIASES, ♦ COGNITIVE BIAS, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, 2025|
Read More

Traumatic Event Centrality and Scam Victims – 2025

Trauma Event Centrality and 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 McGuinness, Ph.D. - Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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. Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIMOLOGY, • WHITE PAPER / CONFERENCE PAPER, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

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 Read More ...

• ARTICLE, • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • RECOVERY PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, • VICTIM SUPPORT, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ FOR ADVOCATES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Phobias: Pistanthrophobia and Philophobia and their Impact on Scam Victims – 2025

Phobias: Pistanthrophobia and Philophobia - the Aftermath of Online Scams - When Trust Becomes the Greatest Casualty Principal Category: Phobias & Fears Authors:  •  Lic. 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 ...

• ARTICLE, • PHOBIAS & FEARS, • PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, • VICTIM PSYCHOLOGY, ♦ FEATURED ARTICLES, ♦ PSYCHOLOGY, 2025|
Read More

Opinions

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of the Society of Citizens Against Rleationship Scams Inc. The author is solely responsible for the content of their work. SCARS is protected under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) section 230 from liability.

Disclaimer:

SCARS IS A DIGITAL PUBLISHER AND DOES NOT OFFER HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE, LEGAL ADVICE, FINANCIAL ADVICE, OR SERVICES THAT SCARS IS NOT LICENSED OR REGISTERED TO PERFORM.

IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE FOLLOWING ANY MEDICALLY RELATED INFORMATION PRESENTED ON OUR PAGES.

ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY FOR ANY ADVICE REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS.

A LICENSED FINANCIAL OR TAX PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES OR TAX RELATED ISSUES AND INFORMATION.

SCARS IS NOT A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR – WE DO NOT PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES. ANY INVESTIGATIONS THAT SCARS MAY PERFORM IS NOT A SERVICE PROVIDED TO THIRD-PARTIES. INFORMATION REPORTED TO SCARS MAY BE FORWARDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS SCARS SEE FIT AND APPROPRIATE.

This content and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for licensed or regulated professional advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, lawyer, financial, or tax professional with any questions you may have regarding the educational information contained herein. SCARS makes no guarantees about the efficacy of information described on or in SCARS’ Content. The information contained is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible situations or effects. SCARS does not recommend or endorse any specific professional or care provider, product, service, or other information that may be mentioned in SCARS’ websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.

The disclaimers herein are provided on this page for ease of reference. These disclaimers supplement and are a part of SCARS’ website’s Terms of Use. 

Legal Notices: 

All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2024 Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (Registered D.B.A SCARS) All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledged.

U.S. State of Florida Registration Nonprofit (Not for Profit) #N20000011978 [SCARS DBA Registered #G20000137918] – Learn more at www.AgainstScams.org

SCARS, SCARS|INTERNATIONAL, SCARS, SCARS|SUPPORT, SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|INTERNATION, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS|LATINOAMERICA, SCARS|MEMBER, SCARS|VOLUNTEER, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, SCARS ANGELS, SCARS RANGERS, SCARS MARSHALLS, SCARS PARTNERS, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Contact the legal department for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org

SCARS Institute - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

SCARS Institute™ Journal of Scam Psychology™
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. [SCARS]

is a publication of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. [registered dba SCARS]

  • Corporate Address: 9561 Fontainebleau Blvd., Suite 602, MIAMI, FL 33172
  • Email: contact@AgainstScams.org
  • Phone: (786) 835-7947
  • Please Note: On-site and Phone Support Not Available

To use this website, You Must Read and Agree to the SCARS Legal Policies and Terms and Conditions

Find SCARS™ All Across The Web & Social Media

LEGAL STATEMENT

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Website and All Original Content, Concepts, and Intellectual Property Copyright © 1995 – 2025 | All Rights Reserved | Third-party Copyrights Acknowledged | Some Images Reproduced As Legal Record Of Criminal Use By Third-parties | Evidence Photos Used To Report Their Use In Criminal Fraud | In Some Cases The Persons Pictured In Photos Are Victims Of Identity Theft Unless Otherwise Indicated

SCARS Institute™, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams™, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams™, SCARS|RSN™, Romance Scams Now™, SCARS|EDUCATION™, SCARS|SUPPORT™, SCARS|INTERNATIONAL™, SCARS|CHINA™, SCARS|UK™, SCARS|CANADA™, SCARS|LATINOAMERICA™, SCARS|MEMBERS™, SCARS|CDN™, Cybercrime Data Network™, AgainstScams™, Act AgainstScams™, Sludge Report™, Scam Victim Support Group™, RSN Steps™/SCARS Steps™, ScamCrime™, ScamsOnline™, Anyscam™, Cobalt Alert™, SCARS|GOFCH™, Global Online Fraud Clearinghouse™, SCARS|CERT™, RED BOOK™, BLUE BOOK™, GREEN BOOK™, Scam Organizer™ – in any form are trademarks of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated | Contact us at contact@AgainstScams.org for any issues about content displayed. visit To Learn More About SCARS Trademarks, Service Marks, and Indicia

Skip to content