Cognitive Attitudes and Biases of Victim Mentality

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2021.5.4.155

Abstract

The research analyzes cognitive attitudes and biases in people with victim mentality. The hypothesis that the study aims to test is that there is a correlation between the level of victimhood and the cognitive attitudes and biases that determine victim behaviour. Methodologically, the study relies on a range of tools, including the questionnaire “Predisposition to Victim Behaviour”, the Victim Mentality Questionnaire, the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale and the adjusted REBT-test (rational emotive behaviour therapy). The study was conducted in 2018 in Russia and covered a sample of 106 people: 45 male and 61 female respondents aged 20–29. The hypothesis was confirmed and correlations were found between the type of victim behaviour, victim mentality, dysfunctional attitudes and irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs are thus considered as victimogenic determinants correlating with the level of victimhood and forms of victim behaviour. These findings can be used to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies to help patients suffering from victim mentality and related problems.

Author Biographies

Olga O. Andronnikova, Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Novosibirsk, Russia

Olga O. Andronnikova, Candidate of Sciences (Psychology), Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University; Chairman of the Novosibirsk Regional Branch of the Federation of Educational Psychologists of Russia; full member of the All-Russian Professional Psychotherapeutic League; member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Her research interests embrace hard and real-life situations, work with psychological trauma, adjustment disorder, addictions, behavioral complexity, and parent-child relationships. She is the author of over 200 works, including 32 textbooks. Her most recent publication: On the Relationship Between Uncertainty Tolerance and Hardiness in Adolescents (2021). Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities and Social Sciences.

Sergey I. Kudinov, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia

Sergey I. Kudinov, Doctor of Sciences (Psychology), Professor, Head of the Department of Social and Differential Psychology, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. His research interests include: self-realization of the subject of activity; properties of personality and individuality; formation and development of personality in ontogenesis; gender, national-ethnic, and individual-typological aspects of personality; professional deformation and emotional burnout of personality; social intellect; deviations, addictions, delinquencies; adaptation and acculturation of personality. His is the author of over 200 publications.

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Published
2021-12-30
How to Cite
Andronnikova, O., & Kudinov, S. (2021). Cognitive Attitudes and Biases of Victim Mentality. Changing Societies & Personalities, 5(4), 654–668. doi:10.15826/csp.2021.5.4.155
Citation Formats
Issue
Vol. 5, No. 4 (2021)
Section
Articles