The psychologist told about fraud through fast weight loss courses
The promises in weight loss courses to lose several kilograms of fat in a week are an example of fraudsters using a sense of urgency. Elena Shpagina, psychologist, Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Institute of Management Technologies of the Russian Technical University of MIREA, told about this on May 14. "Газете.Ru ".
"From the point of view of physiology, this is impossible: sustained weight loss requires time and a calorie deficit, and such an extreme pace is simply dangerous to health. But the psychological vulnerability to this scheme increases significantly in the spring. Spring adds one important factor — a sense of urgency. <...> Scammers deliberately put pressure on this feeling with phrases like "the promotion is only until the end of March" or "there are five places left," the psychologist noted.
According to her, vulnerability increases due to seasonal decreases in vitamin D levels and hormones of joy, which impairs self-control and increases impulsivity. In this state, it is more difficult for a person to assess the long-term consequences and he is more likely to look for quick solutions.
"The promise to lose weight in a week effortlessly hits exactly this point. In addition, in the spring we are more acutely aware of the discrepancy between the desired and real appearance. <...> And at this time, bloggers with stories about "transformations" are becoming more active in social networks," Shpagina said.
Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy and federal coordinator of the Digital Russia project of the United Russia Party, said on May 1 that the State Duma had reported on the most common fraud schemes. These included calls about a "secure account," investment scams, and fake online sales.
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