A STUDY ON SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF CYBERCRIME BEHAVIOUR

The rise of cybercrime in the digital era cannot be understood solely through technological perspectives; it increasingly demands attention to the social and psychological forces shaping offender behaviour. This study explores the multifaceted behavioural dimensions that contribute to cyber offending, examining how motivation, identity, opportunity structures, online socialization, and cognitive biases interact within virtual environments. Drawing on criminological theories, behavioural psychology, and digital sociology, the paper analyzes factors such as anonymity, deindividuation, peer influence, and perceived risk reduction, which collectively enable individuals to engage in cybercrime with greater ease than traditional crimes. The study also highlights how socio-cultural contexts, including economic marginalization, online communities, and subcultural norms, influence both the initiation and escalation of cyber-offending pathways. The study discusses that effective cybercrime mitigation requires not only technological advancements but also deeper insight into the human factors driving deviant online behaviour.

Keywords: Cybercrime, Behavioural Psychology, Digital Sociology, Offender Motivation, Online Anonymity, Moral Disengagement, Social Influence, Cognitive Bias, Cyber Offending Patterns, Cyberpsychology.

Views (26)