How does residential mobility influence generalized trust?

Abstract

Residential mobility has received considerable research attention in recent years because of its influences on many aspects of our cognitive behaviors. However, little research has been conducted to explore how residential mobility affects generalized trust. The current study was conducted to fill this gap. From individual and societal level, Studies 1a, 1b and 1c employing survey questionnaires consistently documented a negative relationship between personal history of residential moves and generalized trust (trust in strangers), but there was no association between mobility and particularistic trust (trust in known others). Study 2 found that mobility priming significantly reduced perceived trustworthiness to strangers (Study 2a) and that less money was invested to strangers when participants were primed with mobility than when primed with stability in a trust game (Study 2b). Study 3 observed that individuals who planned to move dormitories in the near future, by comparison with those not planning to move, invested less money to strangers in a trust game. In addition, the current study also found that the association between mobility and generalized trust was mediated by perceived uncertainty evoked by mobility (in Study 2b & Study 3). Theoretical implications for the mechanisms underlying the mobility effect on generalized trust are discussed.