A double-edged sword: How social diversity affects trust in representatives via perceived competence and warmth
Ehrke F, Bruckmüller S, Steffens MC (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 50
Pages Range: 1540-1554
Journal Issue: 7
DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2709
Abstract
Previous research has claimed that diversity erodes trust, even though the empirical evidence is mixed and restricted to ethnic neighborhood diversity. Against the backdrop of increasing diversity within the political sphere and concurrently declining political trust, we examined the impact of social diversity on trust in groups of political representatives. In two experiments (N-1 = 109, N-2 = 248) we tested how the diversity of political parties affected citizens' trust in them. In line with predictions of the stereotype content model, diverse parties were perceived as warmer and less competent than non-diverse parties (Experiments 1-2). Additionally, party diversity was perceived as having more benefits, but also involving more threats (Experiment 2). Consequently, diversity had both positive (via warmth and benefits) and negative (via competence and threats) indirect effects on trust. These results help to untangle previously mixed, for the most part non-experimental, findings of the relationship between diversity and trust.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Ehrke, F., Bruckmüller, S., & Steffens, M.C. (2020). A double-edged sword: How social diversity affects trust in representatives via perceived competence and warmth. European Journal of Social Psychology, 50(7), 1540-1554. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2709
MLA:
Ehrke, Franziska, Susanne Bruckmüller, and Melanie C. Steffens. "A double-edged sword: How social diversity affects trust in representatives via perceived competence and warmth." European Journal of Social Psychology 50.7 (2020): 1540-1554.
BibTeX: Download