High Justice Sensitivity And Scam Victims
Understanding What Can Easily Become an Obsessive Behavior or Mentality in Scam Victims
Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology
Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
High justice sensitivity refers to an individual’s heightened awareness and strong emotional reactions to perceived injustices, whether they occur personally or to others. This trait is characterized by an intense focus on fairness, a deep sense of empathy for victims, and a persistent desire to address wrongs.
People with high justice sensitivity often experience significant distress over unfair situations and may feel compelled to act against perceived injustices, sometimes leading to obsessive thoughts or actions. This sensitivity can manifest in behaviors like advocacy or vigilantism, driven by a need to see justice restored or wrongdoers punished.
While it can lead to positive social actions, it can also cause personal distress and complicate relationships, especially if the individual becomes overly involved in righting perceived wrongs.
Recognizing this sensitivity in oneself involves acknowledging strong emotional responses to unfairness and a continuous focus on issues of justice, often accompanied by a sense of personal responsibility to correct these issues.
This is but one component, one piece of the puzzle …
Understanding how the human mind is manipulated and controlled involves recognizing that the tactics employed by deceivers are multifaceted and complex. This information is just one aspect of a broader spectrum of vulnerabilities, tendencies, and techniques that permit us to be influenced and deceived. To grasp the full extent of how our minds can be influenced, it is essential to examine all the various processes and functions of our brains and minds, methods and strategies used the criminals, and our psychological tendencies (such as cognitive biases) that enable deception. Each part contributes to a larger puzzle, revealing how our perceptions and decisions can be subtly swayed. By appreciating the diverse ways in which manipulation occurs, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face in avoiding deception in its many forms.
“Thufir Hawat: Now, remember, the first step in avoiding a *trap* – is knowing of its existence.” — DUNE
“If you can fully understand your own mind, you can avoid any deception!” — Tim McGuinness, Ph.D.
“The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.” — Pema Chödrön
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!
High Justice Sensitivity and Scam Victims – How It Can Easily Become Obsessive and Destructive, Leading to other Mental Challenges such as Savior Syndrome
What is ‘High Justice Sensitivity’?
High justice sensitivity refers to an individual’s heightened awareness and concern for fairness and justice in social situations. People with high justice sensitivity are particularly attentive to issues of injustice and may react strongly when they perceive something as unfair, whether it affects themselves, others, or even abstract entities or principles.
This trait can be categorized into four types:
Victim Sensitivity: A strong reaction to perceived injustices against oneself. People with high victim sensitivity may feel wronged or slighted easily and can be sensitive to unfair treatment directed at them. This can lead to ‘victim mentality’ in those who have been wronged.
Observer Sensitivity: A strong reaction to perceived injustices against others. Individuals with high observer sensitivity are often empathetic and concerned about the well-being of others, feeling distressed when they see someone else being treated unfairly.
Beneficiary Sensitivity: Concern about being the recipient of undeserved benefits. People with high beneficiary sensitivity may feel uncomfortable or guilty when they receive advantages they perceive as unfairly obtained. This can be related to imposter syndrome.
Perpetrator Sensitivity: Awareness of one’s own actions potentially causing injustice – in other words, self-blame. Individuals with high perpetrator sensitivity are concerned about acting fairly themselves and are conscious of not wanting to harm others or contribute to unfair situations.
From a psychological perspective, high justice sensitivity can be both positive and mentally challenging. It can drive individuals to advocate for fairness and equality, but it may also lead to increased stress, anger, or frustration and several different syndromes when they encounter perceived injustices. Understanding and managing this sensitivity is important for maintaining emotional well-being and constructive social interactions.
SCARS Institute Note
Like with all of our articles about the psychological aspects of the crimes we recommend discussing these topics with your therapist to properly determine if they apply to you.
Obsessive and Negative Impacts on Scam Victims
High justice sensitivity can become obsessive and have lasting negative impacts on scam victims. When this sensitivity becomes extreme, it can lead to obsessive thoughts and behaviors centered around perceived injustices, including the scam they experienced.
This can manifest in several ways:
Constant Rumination: Scam victims with high justice sensitivity might continually replay the events of the scam in their minds, focusing on the unfairness and deceit involved. This rumination can prevent them from moving forward and exacerbate feelings of anger, frustration, and helplessness. This could potentially lead to PTSD symptoms.
Blaming Themselves: Those with high victim sensitivity might obsessively blame themselves for falling victim to the scam, believing they should have been more vigilant or discerning. This can lead to intense guilt and self-criticism, further damaging their self-esteem.
Distrust and Hypervigilance: Victims can become overly distrustful and hypervigilant, constantly on the lookout for potential threats or injustices. This can strain relationships, as they may become suspicious of others’ motives and intentions, even in benign situations.
Seeking Retribution or Justice: An obsessive focus on seeking justice or retribution against the scammer can consume a victim’s time and energy and divert them from opportunities to recover from the crime. While a desire for justice is natural, an unhealthy fixation on punishing the scammer or recovering lost funds can prevent the victim from focusing on their own healing and recovery. See the cognitive bias called ‘Chasing the Money’.
Emotional Distress: The obsessive focus on the injustice of the scam can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues. This can interfere with daily functioning and overall well-being.
To mitigate these negative impacts, it is important for scam victims with high justice sensitivity to seek support from mental health professionals. Therapy can help them process their emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and find ways to move forward. Building self-compassion and recognizing that the scam was not their fault are crucial steps in the recovery process.
Negatively Affecting Recovery
High justice sensitivity in scam victims can significantly hinder their recovery process and lead to various negative outcomes, including obsessive behaviors and potentially dangerous actions like vigilantism.
Here’s how this heightened sensitivity can impact their recovery:
Chronic Rumination
Victims with high justice sensitivity may find themselves obsessively replaying the events of the scam, fixating on the injustice they experienced. This constant rumination can lead to:
Persistent Anger and Resentment: Victims may harbor intense anger towards the scammer, society, or themselves. This anger can be difficult to manage and may prevent the victim from moving past the incident.
Increased Stress and Anxiety: The constant mental replay and fixation on injustice can lead to chronic stress and anxiety, affecting the victim’s mental and physical health.
Self-Blame and Guilt
Victims might internalize the injustice, believing they should have been more vigilant or discerning. This can manifest as:
Excessive Self-Criticism: Victims may harshly criticize themselves for perceived naivety or negligence, leading to diminished self-esteem and self-worth.
Emotional Distress: Feelings of guilt and shame can contribute to depression and emotional turmoil, making it difficult to seek help or support.
Distrust and Paranoia
High justice sensitivity can lead to an increased distrust of others and a hypervigilant state, where the victim becomes overly cautious or paranoid about potential threats. This can result in:
Social Isolation: Victims may withdraw from relationships, fearing betrayal or deception. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression.
Difficulty Rebuilding Trust: The trauma of being scammed can make it challenging for victims to trust others again, impacting personal and professional relationships.
Obsessive Pursuit of Justice
A strong desire to see justice served can turn obsessive, leading victims to:
Excessive Legal or Financial Pursuits: Victims might become overly focused on legal action or retribution, obsessive focus on financial issues, dedicating significant time and resources to tracking down the scammer or pursuing legal cases, or rapidly solving their financial difficulties. While seeking justice is valid, an obsession can divert attention from personal healing.
Vigilantism: In these cases, victims may resort to taking the law into their own hands, seeking to punish the scammer through illegal or dangerous means such as scam baiting or obsessive explosive of social media fakes. While this may not lead to legal troubles for the victim it certainly can negatively impact their psychology and recovery. However. in some cases victims have traveled to West Africa (and other regions) to track down the scammers themselves which can become extremely dangerous – victims have died from such activities.
Emotional and Physical Exhaustion
The emotional toll of high justice sensitivity can lead to burnout, where victims feel emotionally and physically exhausted from the constant stress and anger. This exhaustion can manifest as:
Mental Health Decline: Chronic stress and anger can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues.
Physical Health Problems: The stress response can also take a toll on physical health, leading to issues like insomnia, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems.
Impact on Future Decision-Making
Victims with high justice sensitivity often struggle with decision-making in the future, as they may become overly cautious or fearful of being deceived again. This can impact various aspects of life, including career choices, financial decisions, and personal relationships.
To mitigate these negative impacts, it is crucial for scam victims with high justice sensitivity to seek professional support. Therapy can help them process their emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and redirect their focus toward personal healing rather than obsessive justice pursuits. Mental health professionals can also help victims rebuild trust and self-compassion, aiding in a more balanced and sustainable recovery process.
Aggressive and Prosocial Behavior
Aggressive Behavior
Definition: Aggressive behavior is characterized by actions intended to harm or intimidate others, either physically or psychologically. It can be overt, like verbal abuse or physical violence, or covert, like manipulation or passive-aggressive actions.
Types:
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- Physical Aggression: Involves causing physical harm or threat.
- Verbal Aggression: Includes insults, threats, or harsh criticism.
- Relational Aggression: Aims to damage relationships or social standing, often through gossip or exclusion.
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Prosocial Behavior
Definition: Prosocial behavior refers to actions intended to benefit others, promote social harmony, and contribute positively to society. These behaviors are typically voluntary and motivated by empathy, compassion, or altruism.
Examples: Helping others in need, sharing resources, cooperating, volunteering, and showing kindness and empathy.
Relation to High Justice Sensitivity in Scam Victims
High justice sensitivity refers to a heightened awareness and concern for justice and fairness. This sensitivity can lead to both aggressive and prosocial behaviors in scam victims, depending on how the individual channels their emotions and responses to the perceived injustice.
Aggressive Behavior in Scam Victims with High Justice Sensitivity
Scam victims with high justice sensitivity may exhibit aggressive behavior as a response to the injustice they have experienced. This can include:
Retaliation: Victims may seek revenge against the scammer, potentially resorting to threats, harassment, or other forms of retribution. This can also escalate to illegal actions, like vigilantism, where the victim takes the law into their own hands.
Anger and Hostility: The intense anger and sense of betrayal can lead to hostile behavior towards others, not just the scammer. Victims may become irritable, lash out verbally, or show aggression in their interactions.
Projection: Victims may project their anger and mistrust onto unrelated situations or individuals, leading to unjustified aggression towards innocent parties.
Prosocial Behavior in Scam Victims with High Justice Sensitivity
Conversely, high justice sensitivity can also lead to prosocial behaviors, driven by a desire to prevent similar injustices from happening to others. This can manifest as:
Advocacy and Awareness: Victims may become advocates for scam awareness, using their experience to educate others and raise awareness about scams. This can involve public speaking, writing, or participating in community outreach programs.
Supportive Actions: Victims might engage in supportive actions, such as forming support groups, volunteering with organizations that help scam victims, or providing emotional and practical support to other victims.
Preventive Efforts: Some may channel their sensitivity into preventive measures, working with law enforcement or community groups to help identify and shut down scam operations.
Balancing Aggressive and Prosocial Responses
For scam victims with high justice sensitivity, the key to a healthy recovery lies in managing their emotional responses and channeling them into constructive actions. While it’s natural to feel anger and a desire for justice, aggressive behaviors can be destructive and may exacerbate the victim’s distress or lead to legal consequences.
On the other hand, prosocial behaviors can provide a positive outlet for these emotions, allowing victims to find meaning and purpose in their experiences. By focusing on helping others and preventing future scams, victims can transform their sensitivity into a force for good, aiding their own recovery and contributing to the broader community’s well-being.
Professional therapy can be invaluable in guiding victims towards prosocial behaviors and away from potentially harmful aggressive actions. This therapeutic support can help victims process their feelings, develop healthier coping strategies, and find constructive ways to address their concerns about justice and fairness.
High Justice Sensitivity and Savior Syndrome
High justice sensitivity in scam victims can lead to prosocial behaviors that may not be entirely genuine and can instead manifest as a form of “savior syndrome.”
Savior Syndrome
“Savior syndrome,” also known as the “rescuer complex” or “hero complex,” refers to a psychological state where an individual feels an intense need to “rescue” or “save” others. This need can stem from a desire for validation, a sense of purpose, or a way to cope with their own emotional pain. In the context of scam victims with high justice sensitivity, this syndrome can manifest in the following ways:
Overcompensation for Personal Guilt or Shame: Scam victims might feel an overwhelming sense of guilt or shame for having been deceived. To cope with these feelings, they may overcompensate by engaging in prosocial behaviors aimed at “saving” others from similar situations. While these actions may appear altruistic, they are often driven by the victim’s own unresolved feelings of inadequacy or failure.
Validation and Recognition: Victims with savior syndrome may seek validation and recognition through their prosocial efforts. By positioning themselves as protectors or advocates for other potential victims, they may derive a sense of self-worth and importance that they felt was diminished by the scam. This need for validation can sometimes lead to actions that are more about self-promotion than genuine altruism.
Avoidance of Personal Healing: Engaging in prosocial behaviors can also serve as a way for scam victims to avoid addressing their own emotional wounds. By focusing on helping others, they may distract themselves from their feelings of hurt, anger, or betrayal. This avoidance can hinder their personal healing process, as they may not fully confront or process their own trauma.
Control and Power Dynamics: In some cases, the desire to “save” others can stem from a need for control or power. Victims may feel powerless as a result of being scammed, and rescuing others can become a way to regain a sense of control and authority. This dynamic can sometimes lead to a paternalistic attitude, where the victim sees themselves as superior or more knowledgeable than those they are helping.
Implications for Recovery
While prosocial behaviors can be a positive outlet for scam victims, it’s important for these actions to be motivated by genuine empathy and compassion, rather than by the underlying dynamics of savior syndrome. Otherwise, prosocial behavior can become a way to avoid personal healing or fulfill unmet emotional needs in an unhealthy way.
Therapy and self-reflection can help scam victims recognize if their prosocial actions are driven by savior syndrome. A therapist can guide them to explore the underlying motivations behind their desire to help others and encourage a more balanced approach to healing and altruism. This involves acknowledging their own needs, addressing their trauma, and finding ways to contribute positively without relying on external validation or control.
Recognizing High Justice Sensitivity
Recognizing high justice sensitivity in oneself involves self-reflection and awareness of certain thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Here are some signs that may indicate high justice sensitivity:
Strong Reactions to Injustice: Experiencing intense emotional reactions (anger, frustration, sadness) to perceived injustices, even those not directly affecting you. Feeling a deep sense of moral outrage or indignation when witnessing unfairness, inequality, or unethical behavior.
Persistent Focus on Fairness: A strong preoccupation with fairness and equality, often leading to significant distress when things are perceived as unfair. Frequently thinking about or discussing issues related to justice, fairness, and moral standards.
Sensitivity to Personal Injustice: Feeling personally affected by instances of injustice, even when they happen to others. Experiencing feelings of being wronged or victimized more acutely than others might in similar situations.
Strong Empathy for Victims: A heightened sense of empathy and compassion for victims of injustice, feeling compelled to advocate for them or take action on their behalf. Often identifying with victims and feeling a personal responsibility to address the injustice.
Desire for Retribution or Correction: A strong desire to see wrongdoers punished or justice restored, which may include advocating for strict consequences or corrective actions. Feeling compelled to correct perceived wrongs, sometimes to the point of becoming overly involved or vigilant.
Personal Distress Over Injustice: Experiencing significant personal distress, anxiety, or sleeplessness over situations involving perceived injustice. Finding it difficult to “let go” of thoughts or feelings about unfair situations, leading to rumination.
Behavioral Responses: Engaging in actions or advocacy efforts to address injustices, sometimes with a sense of urgency or intensity that others may not share. Taking on roles or responsibilities related to social justice, advocacy, or support for victims.
Self-Reflection and Feedback: Receiving feedback from others that you seem particularly sensitive to issues of fairness or justice. Noticing patterns in your behavior where you prioritize fairness and justice, sometimes at a personal cost.
Reflective Questions to Consider:
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- Do you often feel personally affected by injustices, even when they do not directly involve you?
- Are you frequently focused on issues of fairness, to the point where it affects your emotional well-being?
- Do you find it difficult to move past perceived wrongs or unfair situations?
- Do you experience strong emotions, such as anger or sadness, when witnessing or hearing about injustice?
- Have others commented on your sensitivity to fairness or your reactions to injustice?
Recognizing high justice sensitivity is a first step toward understanding how it influences your thoughts and behaviors. It can also help you find ways to manage this sensitivity constructively, ensuring it leads to positive actions rather than undue distress or compulsive behaviors. If high justice sensitivity is causing significant personal distress or affecting your daily life, consulting with a mental health professional can provide guidance and support.
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
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
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- 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
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
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.
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