Why Are We More Likely To Trust Total Strangers Now? 2024
Why Are We More Likely To Trust Total Strangers Now?
We were not always like this! Even 120 years ago, trusting did not come normally in society.
An Anthropological & Sociological Essay
Main Categories: Cognitive Biases / Anthropology / Sociology
Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
The evolution of trust from cautiousness to openness towards strangers reflects a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and technological factors.
Initially spurred by post-pandemic euphoria and the Roaring Twenties’ optimism, trust eroded during World War II, rebounded briefly post-war, and waned again during the Cold War.
The Flower Generation challenged norms in the 1960s, fostering unity and trust.
The digital revolution accelerated trust normalization, facilitated by social media, e-commerce, and peer-to-peer economies.
Today, familiarity, social proof, and cognitive biases shape trust behaviors, despite vulnerabilities exploited by cybercriminals.
Balancing trust with vigilance is a survival necessity in maintaining safe interactions with anyone now! Where the allure of trust often collides with the reality of exploitation is where the criminal element hides.
