The Interplay of Social Status and Trust: A Critical Review of Concepts, Operationalizations, and Findings

Abstract

This review examines the relationship between a person’s social status and trust. Previous research has yielded differing results. On one hand, studies have repeatedly found positive correlations of different strengths between social status and trust; that is, persons with higher social status trust more than persons with lower social status. On the other hand, empirical evidence has also suggested a negative correlation between social status and trust; that is, persons with lower social status trust more than persons with higher social status. In addition to a systematic analysis of the various theoretical approaches and the respective study results, possible causes for these diverging empirical findings are discussed. With regard to the relationship between socioeconomic status and generalized trust, all studies reviewed show a positive correlation. Contradictory results can be found only in studies that investigated socioeconomic status and trust, measured as behavior. In addition to the different operationalizations of social status and trust, one potential cause for different results may be found in the fact that in experimental settings, the social status of the interaction partner is often known.