Socio-Cognitive Model of Trust: Basic Ingredients - Trust Theory: A Socio-Cognitive and Computational Model - page 66

Reliance

Counting on

Delegation Acts

Trust

Trust Acts

Figure 2.7 Relationships among Reliance, Counting on, Delegation, and Trust

obliged to do so, without really trusting it, and without a free decision. 40 If X 's choice was
free she wouldn't count on Y , precisely because she does not trust Y (enough).
Delegation is the free act of counting on; and precisely for this reason it normally presupposes
some trust. So, trust includes 'counting on' (but is not just reducible to it) which includes
'relying on' (see Figure 2.7).

2.7 Can we Decide to Trust?
In the next chapter we will model the decision process and how trust enters into it. However,
in relation to our layered notion of trust, and to a belief-based account of trust, a crucial
preliminary question arises. Can one decide to trust? For example, Annette Baier in her work
on 'Trust and Antitrust' (Baier, 1986) claimed that we can never decide to trust (p. 235). We
disagree on this.
First of all, the question is not well addressed without immediately distinguishing between
trust as belief-structure (attitude/disposition) and trust as decision and action.

(i) As for Trust-act , the answer is 'yes': I can decide to trust somebody, and even when the
background belief-trust wouldn't be sufficient. I can in fact say 'I have decided to trust
him (to entrust him), although I do not really trust him'. I may in fact have other reasons
and other values such that (even with a risk perceived to be too high) I accept that ('as
if') Y be reliable and I decide to delegate and relying on Y and to be vulnerable by Y .For
example, I might do so in order to see whether I am right or wrong, whether Y is really
untrustworthy; or in order to show my good-faith and good-will; and I am disposed to pay
such a price for having this proof or for exhibiting my virtues. 41
(ii) As for Trust as beliefs about Y (evaluations and expectations), like for any other belief I
cannot decide about.

40 Suppose that you don't trust at all a drunk guy as a driver, but you are forced by his gun to let him drive your car.
41 Consider that in this case ( trust-act with not sufficient belief-trust ) the trustor's mental elements will be condi-
tioned by this act: for example, X will have, after the act and caused by it, the goal that Y is able and willing to achieve
the task.