Direct reciprocity and reputation shape trust decisions similarly in blind and sighted individuals

Abstract

This study addresses the effects of blindness on trust. Using an auditory version of the multi-round Trust Game, we investigated the effect of reputation and reciprocity on trust decisions in early blind and sighted participants. During each round of the game, participants were endowed with a sum of money and had to decide how much they wanted to invest in their partners, who were manipulated as a function of their good or bad reputation and individualistic or cooperative behavior. The data showed that negative first impression about the partner (bad reputation and/or selfish behavior) impacted more blind participants than sighted ones. However, following repeated interactions with the partners, the overall mean investment aligned between the blind and sighted groups. We interpret these findings as suggesting that blindness may guide participants to a more cautionary behavior when dealing with partners with negative initial characteristics.