Trust in strangers among disadvantaged people

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Trusting others simplifies life and fosters cooperation, benefiting individuals and society. However, determining trustworthiness in strangers can be challenging without specific information. This research explores how social disadvantage and beliefs in a just world (BJW) influence trust judgments in unfamiliar individuals. It posits that in uncertain situations, people rely on heuristics, linking their trust to their belief in a just world. This tendency is particularly pronounced among those who perceive themselves as socially disadvantaged. Lacking resources to manage trust violations, these individuals depend heavily on accurate trust assessments. Consequently, they actively seek cues indicating a stranger’s trustworthiness and utilize their BJW as a heuristic for judgment. Notably, those with low dispositional BJW may experience bottom effects, while individuals with high dispositional BJW are more attuned to situational justice cues when making trust decisions. The study discusses the significance of these findings, their practical implications, limitations, and avenues for future research.