Trust and social space – a relational perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Social spaces encompass the interactive environments where individuals engage in social interactions, shaping and being shaped by perceptions, imagery, and practices. Although trust is essential for constituting social spaces, it is frequently overlooked in the realm of social space concepts. Nonetheless, trust and mistrust profoundly influence the creation of atmospheres and people's interactions. The dynamics of trust and mistrust come to the forefront when challenged by misconduct, ethical disparities, social exclusion, and resource deprivation. Notably, the manifestation of trust can be discerned through the practices that form the fabric of social spaces. To investigate and comprehend the intricacies of trust within social spaces, it is important to employ ethnographic and praxeological methodologies. Drawing upon empirical data obtained from a racially segregated neighborhood in Chicago, this study illustrates how trust phenomena permeate perceptions of atmospheres, form interpersonal relationships, and intertwine with practices. Integrating the “spatiality of trust” into relational theories of social spaces, this paper highlights trust’s significant role in constituting social spaces.