Abstract
Three widely used interpersonal trust measurement scales [Interpersonal Trust Scale (ITS), Philosophies of Human Nature Scale (RPHNS), Company Trust Scale (CTS)] have seldom been applied in non-Western contexts. Different social environments may lead to variation in the level or structure of trust. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the applicability of these scales to different levels of trust-related traits in Eastern cultures so that researchers can choose appropriate scales for relevant studies. This study attempted to conduct a comparative analysis of the ITS, RPHNS, and CTS. A sample of 725 Chinese college students was analyzed. Total score correlations and latent factor correlations estimated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for a first-order three-factor model were assessed, and then the quality of the item parameters, test reliability and standard errors, and test information were assessed. The results are as follows: (1) the ITS and the RPHNS assessed almost the same trust traits; therefore, only the ITS and the RPHNS are compared in the next sections; (2) the original structure of only the RPHNS is verified; (3) some items on the ITS do not work well, while the RPHNS has higher overall test reliability; and (4) the average item information provided by the RPHNS is higher across all trait levels. In most cases, the RPHNS is the better choice in the Chinese cultural context.
Highlights
Trust refers to a positive psychological expectation that an individual holds toward the behavior and purpose of someone he/she meets during his/her interactions with others or the social environment (Zhao et al, 2013)
The Chinese versions of the three trust assessment scales are applied in this study
The Common method bias (CMB) test result indicated that the characteristic roots of 18 factors exceeded 1, the first of which explained merely 10.76 percent of the total variance of the data, less than 40 percent of the critical value (Zhou and Long, 2004)
Summary
Trust refers to a positive psychological expectation that an individual holds toward the behavior and purpose of someone he/she meets during his/her interactions with others or the social environment (Zhao et al, 2013). Research has proven that trust serves as a prerequisite for a sound relationship in social interactions (Righetti et al, 2011). In a cooperatively interactive group activity, trust is conducive to the consolidation of solidarity between group members and the enhancement of group performance (Stolle et al, 2008; Chen et al, 2010). Studies have shown that there are relatively close relationships between interpersonal trust and personality, ego, depressive emotions, and Internet addiction among college students (Xin and Zhou, 2012; Xu T.J. et al, 2017)
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