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The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm
Published on: October 20, 2022
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Mapping patterns of trust in science and scientists.
1Cluster of Excellence Politics of Inequality, Konstanz, Germany; University of Konstanz, Germany.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|November 8, 2025
Summary
Public trust in science and scientists are different. Sociocultural and political factors significantly impact trust, which varies across scientific domains and issues. Addressing these nuances is key for advancing science communication.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Science
- Science Communication
- Public Opinion Research
Background:
- Public trust is crucial for scientific advancement and societal integration.
- Existing research often conflates trust in science with trust in scientists, leading to inconsistencies.
- Understanding the drivers of public trust is essential for effective science policy and communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize recent scholarship on public trust in science and scientists.
- To differentiate between trust in science and trust in scientists.
- To identify key factors influencing trust and areas for future research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scholarship on public trust in science and scientists.
- Synthesis of findings across various disciplines and research methodologies.
- Analysis of factors influencing trust, including sociocultural, political, and domain-specific elements.
Main Results:
- Trust in science (confidence in claims) and trust in scientists (credibility/motives) are distinct and influenced by different factors.
- Sociocultural and political environments significantly shape public trust, explaining cross-national variations.
- Trust levels vary across scientific domains and issues, often due to politicization.
Conclusions:
- Separating trust in science from trust in scientists offers a clearer understanding of public perception.
- Acknowledging the influence of external environments and the non-monolithic nature of science is vital.
- Future research should focus on multi-dimensional measures, global comparisons, and communicating uncertainty effectively to maintain credibility.
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