Fragile Trust, Stable Mistrust: A Theory of the Formation and Sustainability of Social Trust

Abstract

The roots of social trust have long been a scholarly concern. Some argue that it is a disposition gained in early socialization that is stable despite social experiences. Others argue that social arrangements that structure prosocial interactions can cultivate it. Analyzing in-depth interview data, I contribute to this literature by developing a theory of fragile trust, stable mistrust. The results suggest interviewees understand early socialization as an important factor in the development of their own social trust. They also suggest these early experiences are structured by important socioeconomic factors. In addition, many interviewees recount a loss of social trust because of significant negative experiences, whereas none relate an experience building trust. I argue that these dynamics are driven by trustors being more interested in the kinds of activities theorized to enhance social trust than mistrusting individuals and by the cognitive mechanisms of the negativity and confirmation biases.