ABSTRACT This article emphasises that trustful behaviour is meaningful behaviour which communicates that the interaction partner is perceived as a trustworthy actor. It shows how this almost trivial insight can… Click to show full abstract
ABSTRACT This article emphasises that trustful behaviour is meaningful behaviour which communicates that the interaction partner is perceived as a trustworthy actor. It shows how this almost trivial insight can enrich our theoretical understanding of trusting relations in a significant way. Three assumptions will be derived which emphasise the relational character of trust and which focus on causal and constitutive interactions between trustful behaviour and certain inter-subjective structures in which a relationship is embedded: first, trustful behaviour (re-)produces shared social identity; second, trustful behaviour satisfies the socio-emotional needs of the trusted actor; and third, trustful behaviour complies with a social norm and obligation to trust. These assumptions will be applied for a theoretical analysis of processes of building and maintaining identification-based trusting relations. It will be highlighted that the active celebration of trustful behaviour itself is necessary for the (re-)production of the socio-emotional foundation of an identification-based trusting relationship. Moreover, the theoretical analysis will provide a discussion of appropriate and effective reassurance strategies which actors may follow in times of uncertainty and doubt. In sum, the article provides a new perspective on the relationship between trust and risk: not only trustful behaviour is (objectively) risky, but also the refusal of trust. Actors who unnecessarily refuse to engage in trustful behaviour risk deteriorating the relationship.
               
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