William Beiser
11/15/2025
Article Review #2: Personality, Behavior, and Criminal Typologies in Cybercrime Research
Relations to Social Sciences
The Cybercrime Journal article by Ghaleb & Sattarov (2025) directly connects to core
principles of the social sciences by examining how psychological traits influence cybersecurity
behavior. The professor-provided article on cybercriminals versus traditional criminals situates
cyber offending within sociological and criminological frameworks, emphasizing how
environment, opportunity, and identity shape pathways into crime. Together, these works
highlight how human behavior, whether in compliance, ignorance, or criminal behavior, is
shaped by social structures, individual traits, and subjective situations.
Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Variables
Ghaleb & Sattarov (2025) examine how five main personality traits predict cybersecurity
compliance. They hypothesize that traits such as conscientiousness and neuroticism are
correlated with safer practices. The Independent Variables are personality trait scores, with
compliance attitudes and behaviors as the Dependent Variables. The “Most Wanted Criminals”
article asks how cybercriminals differ in background and behavior from traditional offenders. Its
independent variables are the type of offender, with specific characteristics. The dependent
variables include criminal behaviors, techniques, and criminal profiles.
Research Methods
Ghaleb & Sattarov (2025) employ a quantitative survey method, collecting self-reported
personality and behavioral data. They then statistically model the relationship between the two.
The comparison article uses secondary data analysis of offender records, case profiles, and
criminological typologies.
Data and Analysis
Ghaleb & Sattarov’s study relies on numerical personality scores and compliance
measures, which are analyzed using regression models. The comparison study utilizes both
qualitative and quantitative data, such as arrest records, behavioral profiles, and demographic
patterns, to explore the similarities and differences between offender types. Both studies aim to
identify predictors of behavior using the same approaches.
Relation to Course Concepts
Both articles reinforce key concepts in PowerPoint, including risk factors, individual
differences, social learning, and criminological typologies. Ghaleb’s focus on the link between
personality and safe behavior parallels the professor’s article, showing how personality and
background shape pathways into cyber versus traditional crime.
Marginalized Groups
Ghaleb & Sattarov (2025) suggest that employees with lower digital literacy, often
younger staff or those from underrepresented backgrounds, may face increased risk. The
comparison article notes that traditional criminals disproportionately come from marginalized
communities due to structural inequalities, whereas cybercriminals often come from more
privileged or technically skilled backgrounds. Together, these studies demonstrate how various
forms of marginalization give rise to distinct forms of vulnerability or deviance.
Overall Contributions to Society
Both studies provide valuable insights for prevention. Ghaleb’s findings support the use
of tailored cybersecurity training based on personality and behavioral profiles. At the same time,
the comparison article helps law enforcement understand the diversity of offenders in cybercrime
versus traditional crime. Together, they advance social science theory and contribute to more
effective, equitable responses to crime in digital and physical spaces.
Conclusion
When examined together, these articles demonstrate that cybersecurity behavior and
cyber offending cannot be understood without considering psychology, social structure, and
criminological theory. Ghaleb & Sattarov (2025) show how personality predicts compliance,
while a comparison study illustrates how different offender backgrounds influence criminal
pathways. Both contribute valuable social science insights that help organizations, law
enforcement, and society better understand and manage behaviors in the digital age.
References
Ghaleb, M. M. S. (2025). Role of personality traits and cybersecurity behavior. Cybercrime
Journal.
https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/438/124
America’s most wanted criminals: Comparing cybercriminals and traditional criminals. (PDF
provided by professor).References
Ghaleb, M. M. S. (2025). Role of personality traits and cybersecurity behavior. Cybercrime
Journal.
https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/438/124
America’s most wanted criminals: Comparing cybercriminals and traditional criminals. (PDF