The Effects of Within- and Between-Group Competition on Trust and Trustworthiness among Acquaintances |
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| Authors: | Guofang Liu Chongde Lin Ziqiang Xin |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.; 2. School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.; 3. Department of Psychology at School of Social Development, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, P. R. China.; George Mason University / Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, United States of America, |
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| Abstract: | Several studies have indicated that between-group competition is a key stimulator of trust and trustworthiness. Another important but neglected type of competition may also affect trust and trustworthiness: within-group competition, especially competition among acquaintances. The present study investigated the effects of both within- and between-group competition on trust and trustworthiness, which were measured using an investment game played by acquaintances. We found that, compared to the participants'' performance in the non-competition condition, when individuals were motivated to compete with their in-group members or the other groups for financial rewards, they demonstrated more trust. When individuals were motivated to compete with their in-group members, they exhibited lower trustworthiness than in non-competition and between-group competition. In addition, within-group competition decreased the trustor''s payoff while both within- and between- group competition increased the trustee''s payoff. Finally, we found that males trusted their group members more than females. |
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