Psychological Insights into the Behavior of Cybercriminals: A Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

This study explores comprehensively the complex psychosocial factors driving individuals toward illicit activities in the digital realm. The study encompasses the concept of cybercrime and psychological theories such as social learning, psychoanalytic, and cognitive behavioral theories. The application of space transition theory to cybercriminal behavior, determinants influencing cybercrime perpetration, and mechanisms for addressing cybercrimes. Employing a descriptive and legal analytical methodological approach, it combines didactic exposition and meticulous analysis to deeply explore the psychological motivations behind cybercriminal actions, including experiential trajectories, volitional tendencies, and cognitive processes. The findings reveal a nuanced array of motives underlying cybercriminal behavior, including the absence of a robust cyber-vigilance culture, financial incentives, and the attraction of unauthorized knowledge acquisition. Socio-economic elements like unemployment and intricate family dynamics exacerbate the propensity for cyber-delinquency.