A Behavioral Decision Theory Approach to Modeling Dyadic Trust in Superiors and Subordinates

The relative importances of five determinants of dyadic trust (integrity, competence, consistency, loyalty, and openness) were investigated from two perspectives: trust in superiors and trust in subordinates. Two experiments were designed from research on behavioral decision theory. The participants, 78 undergraduate management students, responded to cues that described hypothetical superiors (Exp. 1) and subordinates (Exp. 2). Responses indicated the amount of trust held in each of 32 superiors and 32 subordinates. Integrity, competence, and consistency were stronger than loyalty or openness as determinants of trust in one's superiors and in one's subordinates. There were no differences in the importance of any of the determinants of trust in one's subordinates versus one's superiors. Method considerations are discussed.