Approaches to the investigation of trust

The chapter begins with recognition of the significance of interpersonal trust. It includes definitions of theory, framework, scientific model, and approach. The chapter reviews the different approaches to the investigation of trust: (1) developmental (psychosocial theory, Piagetian theory, attachment theory, and knowledge acquisition theory); (2) social (social learning theory, romantic-attachment, romantic-faith theory, game theory, and the basis, domain, and target dimension framework); (3) neurological; and (4) organizational (social exchange theory). Each section is composed of a review of the given approach, a brief description of representative research, and critical evaluation of the approach. The chapter culminates with a discussion of whether there is an adequate theory of trust and the importance of trust in the research enterprise.