Leiden University Student Repository

Hulsbos, Jill (2025)

The similarities and differences in blame attribution between financial cybercrimes and cyber harassment

Bachelor thesis | Security Studies (BSc)

This thesis examines the similarities and differences in blame attribution between financial cybercrimes and cyber harassment. It focuses on the experiences of individuals who were victims of one of these types of cybercrime. The research question of this paper is “What are the similarities and differences in blame attribution in the aftermath of financial cybercrimes and cyber harassment, and what is the impact of the blaming?”. It is examined through a qualitative study where six victims were interviewed. The interviews are analyzed through the lens of a Critical Discourse Analysis, which is about revealing how discourse shapes and reflects power dynamics and ideologies (Stevens et al., 2023). Weiner’s Attribution Theory (1986) guides the analysis and focuses on how individuals interpret events and how this relates to their thinking and behavior. Findings show that there are some similarities and differences, highlighting the fact that in this study, victims of financial...Show moreThis thesis examines the similarities and differences in blame attribution between financial cybercrimes and cyber harassment. It focuses on the experiences of individuals who were victims of one of these types of cybercrime. The research question of this paper is “What are the similarities and differences in blame attribution in the aftermath of financial cybercrimes and cyber harassment, and what is the impact of the blaming?”. It is examined through a qualitative study where six victims were interviewed. The interviews are analyzed through the lens of a Critical Discourse Analysis, which is about revealing how discourse shapes and reflects power dynamics and ideologies (Stevens et al., 2023). Weiner’s Attribution Theory (1986) guides the analysis and focuses on how individuals interpret events and how this relates to their thinking and behavior. Findings show that there are some similarities and differences, highlighting the fact that in this study, victims of financial cybercrimes are blamed more than cyber harassment victims. Furthermore, findings indicate that victim-blaming negatively impacts victims’ mental health, social relationships, and there is emotional impact. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how blame is assigned in different contexts of cybercrime victimization, and it highlights the role of societal discourse in these situations, leading to an exacerbation of emotional harm.Show less

Author

Hulsbos, Jill

Faculty

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Supervisors

Cremin, R.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en