Psychological Features of Individuals Prone to Cyber Victimization

Abstract

The article discusses the results of the empirical research into the psychological features of individuals prone to cyber victimization. As a theoretical basis, this paper uses the analysis of the findings of the studies conducted by the Russian as well as foreign researchers, that indicate presence of the specific traits among victims of cyber crime. The focus group that took part in the research includes 78 adult users of the VK social network. The respondents who became victims of cyber scams more than twice over the past three years were identi-fied as the individuals prone to cyber victimization. The following techniques were used for the empirical data collection: Multifactorial personality questionnaire (16 PF) by R.B. Cattell, “Level of subjective control” test by V.F. Bazhin, E.A. Golynkina and A.M. Atkind and State-Trait anxiety inventory by C. Spielberger (adapted by Y. Khanin). The results of the conducted research show that one's tendency towards cyber victimization can be explained by the presence of certain specific emotional and interpersonal traits. The findings of this study could be used as major targets for designing preventive programs against crimes in cyber space.