Psychological and neural mechanisms of trust formation: A perspective from computational modeling based on the decision of investor in the trust game

Abstract

<p id="C2">Interpersonal trust has permeated all aspects of social exchange. It is the foundation of promoting and maintaining social corporation. Using the trust game paradigm, previous studies have investigated the theoretical models, biological bases and influential factors of interpersonal trust. In recent years, computational modeling has been increasingly applied to the research field of interpersonal trust. It enables researchers to explore the psychological mechanisms underlying interpersonal trust. Combining computational modeling with neuroimaging technology can deepen our understanding of the brain mechanisms of trust behaviors. The current application of the computational modeling to the trust game primarily aimed to answer the question of “how trust is formed”. Future researchers could further combine advanced computational modeling techniques with non-invasive brain stimulation technologies to uncover the unique process of trust formation among patients with mental disorders. By doing so, we hope to gain a better understanding about the differences in the psychological and neural mechanisms of trust formation between healthy population and patients with mental disorders.