The impact of face masks on interpersonal trust in times of COVID-19
Malik S, Mihm B, Reichelt M (2021)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Pages Range: 1-9
Article Number: 17369 (2021)
Journal Issue: 11 (1)
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
Involved external institutions
Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
Germany (DE)
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi)
United Arab Emirates (AE)
Germany (DE)
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi)
United Arab Emirates (AE)
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), 1-9.
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): 1-9.
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