The impact of face masks on interpersonal trust in times of COVID-19

Malik S, Mihm B, Reichelt M (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: 17369

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96500-7

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of face masks to combat COVID-19, little is known about their social and behavioral consequences. To understand the impact of face masks on interpersonal trust, we designed a novel experiment to assess the causal impact of face mask use on whether individuals follow economically relevant advice from a stranger. From a survey of more than 2000 US citizens, conducted during July and August 2020, we find that almost 5% fewer individuals trust advice when it is given by someone wearing a mask than when it is given by someone not wearing a mask. While, surprisingly, health-related risks do not seem to alter the way masks affect trust, the effects of masks are particularly large among individuals whose households face economic risks due to COVID-19 and those with below-average normative beliefs about mask wearing. Our results highlight the non-health-related meaning that face masks have developed during COVID-19 and suggest that mask use undermines trust in others among a substantial share of the US population.

Authors with CRIS profile

Malte Reichelt

Involved external institutions

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi) AE United Arab Emirates (AE) Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Malik, S., Mihm, B., & Reichelt, M. (2021). The impact of face masks on interpersonal trust in times of COVID-19. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96500-7

MLA:

Malik, Samreen, Benedikt Mihm, and Malte Reichelt. "The impact of face masks on interpersonal trust in times of COVID-19." Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021).

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