title: The effects of within- and between-group competition on trust and trustworthiness among acquaintances.
abstract: Several studies have indicated that between-group competition is a key stimulator of trust and trustworthiness. Another important but neglected type of competition may also affect trust and trustworthiness: within-group competition, especially competition among acquaintances. The present study investigated the effects of both within- and between-group competition on trust and trustworthiness, which were measured using an investment game played by acquaintances. We found that, compared to the participants' performance in the non-competition condition, when individuals were motivated to compete with their in-group members or the other groups for financial rewards, they demonstrated more trust. When individuals were motivated to compete with their in-group members, they exhibited lower trustworthiness than in non-competition and between-group competition. In addition, within-group competition decreased the trustor's payoff while both within- and between- group competition increased the trustee's payoff. Finally, we found that males trusted their group members more than females.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China; School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Guofang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Chongde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology at School of Social Development, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ziqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult