Dynamics of Trust - Trust Theory: A Socio-Cognitive and Computational Model - page 161

Table 6.4 How delegation can influence reciprocal trust

DoT XYτ > σ 1 DoT XY T < σ 1

Increases the DoT XYτ but
¬ Delegate (X Y τ )

Increases the X's
degree of trust in Y
as for

Bel(X S-Del(YXτ'))
and
Bel(X DoT YXτ '>σ 2 )

τ

Increases the DoT XYτ and
Delegate (X Y τ)

Decreases the DoT XYτ
but
Delegate (X Y τ)

Decreases the X's
degree of trust in Y
as for

Bel(X ¬S-Del(Y X τ'))
and
Bel(X DoT YXτ '<σ 2 )

τ

Decreases the DoT XYτ
and
¬ Delegate (X Y τ)

Each of the previous points allows the possibility that X delegates to Y τ : Going to analyze

the specific components of the degree of trust we can say that:

- the point (i) could increase both DoW XY τ and DoA XY τ ;
- the point (ii) and (iii) decrease the value of

σ 1 and may be increase both DoW XY τ and

DoA XY τ .

In other words, after Y 's delegation we can have two new parameters:
DoT' XY τ and σ 1 ' instaed of DoT XY τ and σ 1 and it is possible that: DoT' XY τ > σ 1 ' . In Table 6.4

we display the different cases.
Another interesting case is when Y 's diffidence in X is believed by X itself:

Bel (X DoT YX τ <σ 2 ) and for this
Bel (X τ ))

¬ S-Delegates (Y X

Also, in this case, various possible consequences in X 's mind are possible:

i) the fact that Y has decided not to depend on X could imply Y 's willingness to avoid possible
retaliation by X itself; so that X could imply Y s possible harmfulness.
ii) Y 's expression of lack of estimation of X and the fact that Bel (X DoT YX τ ≤ σ 2 ), in general
has the consequence that an abstract malevolence could arise in X as for Y .

Our message is trivial: the well-known interpersonal dynamics of trust (that trust creates a
mirror trust, or diffidence induces diffidence), so important in conflict resolutions, in exchanges,
in organizations, etc., must be grounded on their mental 'proximate mechanisms'; that is, on
the dynamics of beliefs, evaluations, predictions, goals, and affects in X and Y ' minds, and in
X 's theory of Y 's mind and Y 's theory of X 's mind.