Abstract
We propose that religion impacts trust and trustworthiness in ways that depend on how individuals are socially identified and connected. Religiosity and religious affiliation may serve as markers for statistical discrimination. Further, affiliation to the same religion may enhance group identity, or affiliation irrespective of creed may lend social identity, and in turn induce taste-based discrimination. Religiosity may also relate to general prejudice. We test these hypotheses across three culturally diverse countries. Participants׳ willingness to discriminate, beliefs of how trustworthy or trusting others are, as well as actual trust and trustworthiness are measured incentive compatibly. We find that interpersonal similarity in religiosity and affiliation promote trust through beliefs of reciprocity. Religious participants also believe that those belonging to some faith are trustworthier, but invest more trust only in those of the same religion—religiosity amplifies this effect. Across non-religious categories, whereas more religious participants are more willing to discriminate, less religious participants are as likely to display group biases.
Highlights
We propose that religion impacts trust and trustworthiness in ways that depend on how individuals are socially identified and connected
We investigate the role of religion-based discrimination in trusting and in trustworthy behaviour when interacting with people from various social groups or cultures
Consistent with research on social connectedness in general (Laurenceau et al, 1998), we argue that individual religiosity operates through religious connectedness to affect trust
Summary
We propose that religion impacts trust and trustworthiness in ways that depend on how individuals are socially identified and connected. In two experiments participants of higher religiosity were cooperative (Chuah et al, 2014) or trusting (Tan and Vogel, 2008) than others These results suggest that religiosity, in reflecting an individual's socialisation into and internalisation of particular religious precepts Both studies provided hints of a second avenue by which religiosity might influence decision making as a vehicle for taste-based or statistical discrimination One such hint is that among the entirely Christian participant pool of Tan and Vogel (2008), those of known higher religiosity receive greater trust from others, and especially (but not exclusively) from those who share this trait. Social connectedness is a psychological concept describing the closeness of people e.g. family or acquaintance, friend or foe (Aron et al, 1991; Gächter et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
