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Mental States: A Key Point in Scam Compliance and Warning Compliance in Real Life

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Wen

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Liang Xu

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Jie Wang

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Yuan Gao

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Jiaming Shi

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

  • Ke Zhao

    (Ant Group, Shanghai 200120, China)

  • Fuyang Tao

    (Ant Group, Shanghai 200120, China)

  • Xiuying Qian

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

Abstract

The internet’s convenience and anonymity have facilitated different types of covert fraud, resulting in economic, mental, and social harm to victims. Understanding why people are deceived and implementing appropriate interventions is critical for fraud reduction. Based on the Bayesian brain theory, individuals’ mental states may be a key point in scam compliance and warning compliance. Fraud victims with different mental states may construct various hypotheses and explanations about the fraud they are exposed to, causing different cognition and behavior patterns. Therefore, we first conducted a semi-structured in-depth interview with online fraud victims to investigate the individual and social factors that affect victims’ mental states. Grounded theory analysis showed five core factors influencing scam compliance: psychological traits, empirical factors, motivation, cognitive biases, and emotional imbalance. Based on our findings of psychological processes and deception’s influential factors, we then designed warnings to inform victims of fraud, particularly for those involving novel types of scams. Tested on a real-life setting, our designed warnings effectively enhanced warning compliance, allowing more fraud victims to avoid financial losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Wen & Liang Xu & Jie Wang & Yuan Gao & Jiaming Shi & Ke Zhao & Fuyang Tao & Xiuying Qian, 2022. "Mental States: A Key Point in Scam Compliance and Warning Compliance in Real Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8294-:d:857507
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Jie & Zhang, Lei & Xu, Liang & Qian, Xiuying, 2024. "The dynamic emotional experience of online fraud victims during the process of being defrauded: A text-based analysis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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