Do strong family ties inhibit trust?

Publication type

ISER Working Paper Series

Series Number

2008-37

Series

ISER Working Paper Series

Authors

Publication date

November 1, 2008

Abstract:

We provide direct evidence that people with strong family ties have a lower level of trust in strangers than people with weak family ties, and argue that this association is causal. We also investigate the mechanisms that underlie this effect, and provide evidence that these revolve around the level of outward exposure: factors that limit exposure limit subjects’ experience as well as motivation to deal with strangers. Our findings are based on experimental data derived from a new design of the ‘trust game’ combined with panel survey data, both drawn from a near-representative sample of the British population.

Subject

Notes

working paper

#511901

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