How Wealth Influences Trust Perceptions

A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals a universal stereotype across eight countries that associates wealth with trustworthiness, showing that individuals with fewer resources are perceived as less trustworthy. This stereotype persists regardless of the perceiver's own socioeconomic status and highlights the role of socioeconomic background in shaping perceptions, alongside gender and race. The findings suggest that awareness of this bias could help address social trust issues and discrimination linked to socioeconomic status.