The association between illusions of invulnerability and exposure to trauma

Abstract

The study investigated, in a high risk adolescent sample, the relationship between illusions of invulnerability and exposure to six specific traumatic events. The most significant finding was the significant negative relationship between exposure to trauma and level of invulnerability, indicating that the greater the exposure to trauma, the less the invulnerability expressed in regard to potential risk. A further significant finding of the study was that vicarious exposure to trauma affects how one estimates risk of death in relation to the "average other" but not in relation to the self. Direct experience of trauma, on the other hand, affects perceived risk in relation to both self and other.

Maintaining Routine despite Ongoing Exposure to Terrorism: A Healthy Strategy for Adolescents?

“…An alternative explanation is that, given the high level of exposure to terrorism in Israel, adolescents are aware of their vulnerability to terrorism but act in denial and continue as if no danger were expected [28]. This interpretation is supported by Maypole and colleagues' study of children's vulnerability and fears of AIDS [29].…”

Gaining Access with Social Engineering: An Empirical Study of the Threat

“…In general, the illusion of invulnerability is an immunizing stratagem from the fear, stress, and anxiety associated with the perceived threat of misfortune. Once victimized, however, it becomes easier to see oneself again in the role of victim (Janoff-Bulman & Frieze, 1983;Roe-Berning & Straker, 1997). Applying this line of thought to social engineering, we hypothesize that when people have been previous victims of social engineering, they are more likely to maintain higher vigilance and take precautions against such attacks (Dorn & Brown, 2003;Hochhauser, 2004).…”

“…As an example, Lejunene and Alex (1973) found that mugging victims first defined the event with disbelief and in a nonthreatening way, such as a practical joke. Hence, people operate on the basis of an "illusion of invulnerability" to support their need to view the world as orderly, stable, and meaningful, thus underestimating the probability of their own misfortunes and overestimating the probability of misfortunes to others (Hochhauser, 2004;Roe-Berning & Straker, 1997).…”

The amplification effects of procedural justice on a threat control model of information systems security behaviours

“…orderly, stable and meaningful, and consequently, people often underestimate the probability of their own misfortunes and overestimate the probability of misfortunes to others (Roe-Berning andStraker 1997, Hochhauser 2004). Events such as criminal acts, accidents, disasters and disease force people to recognise that they may become vulnerable (JanoffBulman and Frieze 1983).…”

“…However, in general, people function on a daily basis with the presumption that no harm will befall them (Dorn andBrown 2003, Hochhauser 2004). This is because such beliefs allow people to set goals, plan activities and order their behaviour in a predictable manner (Roe-Berning and Straker 1997). For example, Lejeune and Alex (1973) found that mugging victims first defined the event with disbelief and in a nonthreatening way, such as a practical joke.…”