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The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm
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Effects of cognitive load on trusting behavior--an experiment using the trust game
Katarzyna Samson1, Patrycjusz Kostyszyn2
1The Robert B. Zajonc Institute for Social Studies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Plos One
|May 27, 2015
Summary
Modern life
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Declining social trust is a growing concern.
- Existing explanations focus on economic factors and inequality.
- A novel perspective links trust decline to cognitive load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cognitive load on social trust.
- To explore the relationship between cognitive resources and trust game behavior.
- To test a new hypothesis on the drivers of declining social trust.
Main Methods:
- Experimental design with a trust game.
- Inclusion of two cognitive load conditions (auditory disturbance, memory task).
- Control condition with no secondary task.
Main Results:
- Cognitive load significantly reduced trust in the trust game.
- Limited cognitive resources led to more impulsive behavior.
- Both cognitive load conditions showed decreased trust compared to control.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive load, not just economic factors, may drive declining social trust.
- The accelerating pace of modern life and technological development could impair social trust.
- Understanding cognitive load's role is crucial for addressing trust deficits.
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