Problems with Measurement of Trust and Trustworthiness. What Best Predicts Trust Game Outcomes? (Zaufanie i wiarygodnosc: pomiar i wplyw informacji o przynaleznosci grupowej )

The study (N = 156) explored the predictive power of attitudinal measures of trust and trustworthiness commonly used in surveys, as well as the possibility of replacing them with other instruments. Secondly, it aimed at replicating previous findings (e.g. Gleaser et al., 2000) that cues to other person’s group membership affect trusting and trustworthy behaviour. Subjects filled in a number of questionnaires and took part in the Trust Game in which information about partner’s nationality was manipulated. Analyses demonstrated the lack of correspondence between attitudinal and past behaviour measures of trust and trustworthiness and behaviour in the Trust Game. Trustworthiness was predicted by social desirability measure. No effects of other person’s out-group membership were found in the current study. Cues to identity made participants more trustful and trustworthy towards the other person in comparison to the control condition. The interpretation of the obtained results, as well as the limitations of the study are discussed.