Trustworthiness

October 3, 2007

Whether choosing a mate or someone to work closely with, trust really matters. Now, University of Florida research finds of all major character traits, people value trustworthiness the most in others. Psychologist Catherine Cottrell asked people to consider key traits for members of interdependent groups ranging from family to workplace teams.

Cottrell: “What’s interesting, I think, is when trust is violated. Now that pops really quickly to our radar screen. That sends up red flags and bells and whistles and says ‘pay attention to this violation of trust, something isn’t right,’ and I think probably violations of trust are perceived more negatively than failings in other dimensions.”

So, society heaps a little extra disgrace on trust violators like adulterers or thieves. Experts say people may value trustworthiness more than ever because modern times don’t permit people to really get to know one another.

Cottrell: “In the sense that trustworthiness builds over time and I have to have repeated interactions with you for the trust between us to grow and to develop. Well, if I haven’t known you for very long, then those repeated interactions can’t occur and that trust can’t develop over time.”

So, these days you have to choose whom to trust faster than ever before.