New research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has found that people are more likely to trust individuals who grew up in lower-income households, as compared to those who had privileged backgrounds. This finding, based on a series of experiments with nearly 2,000 participants, sheds light on the deep-rooted perceptions linking childhood hardship with morality and trustworthiness—a topic that resonates on both a global and a Thai societal level (Neuroscience News).
For many Thais, trust is the cornerstone of both personal relationships and workplace culture. The new research is significant for Thai readers because it highlights how perceptions of socioeconomic background, especially childhood conditions, can shape key decisions—from forming friendships to selecting business partners. In a society where social status and family origins often color reputations, understanding what drives trust may help foster more sincere and equitable interactions.
The research team, led by a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, sought to uncover whether someone’s social class—past or present—affects how trustworthy they seem to others. In one of the main experiments, participants were asked to play a “trust game” with profiles they believed were other real people, when in actuality these were fictional. These profiles varied: some described a humble upbringing, such as attending public school or working part-time jobs, while others reflected privilege, detailing private schooling and international travel.
When asked to “entrust” raffle tickets to these profiles—tickets that could later be returned for mutual benefit—participants gave more tickets to those who grew up with less. Interestingly, while people were also willing to trust those currently in lower-income situations, they only truly believed that someone raised in modest circumstances would reciprocate. According to the lead researcher, “Trust is essential for healthy relationships. Without it, romantic partnerships can fail, workplaces can suffer and social divisions can grow… Our research shows that people draw a clear line between someone’s childhood and their current situation.” (APA press release)
Participants consistently rated those of humble beginnings as being more moral and trustworthy. The researchers distinguished between “behavioral trust”—measured by how much participants were willing to give—and “expectation of trustworthiness”—their belief that their trust would be honored. While both were higher for those with modest childhoods, current wealth only swayed behavior, not belief in trustworthiness.
Notably, the study also revealed the nuanced role of altruism. Participants perceived people currently in lower social classes as potentially more altruistic, though they did not expect them to be as moral or as likely to return the favor as those raised in low-income households. As the research leader explains, this suggests people are strategic about trust: “If you’ve always been wealthy, you might want to downplay that history and focus on the now, whereas if you’ve always struggled financially, making it clear that you grew up with humble roots might be more to your advantage.”
For Thailand, with its wide economic disparities and strong family ties, the findings offer insights for everyday social dynamics—from temple communities to business negotiations. Thai culture often values acceptance, humility (khwam jam yen), and collective responsibility. The inclination to trust those raised with less may echo long-held Buddhist values and the Thai tendency to favor people who are seen as modest, grounded, and close to ordinary society.
At the same time, this new research raises important questions. Is trust based on someone’s background truly justified? While people from humble beginnings are perceived as more moral, the study did not determine whether they are actually more trustworthy in practice. The lead researcher emphasizes the need for future studies, especially to understand when trust is misplaced or when people lose chances to form fair and mutually beneficial relationships.
Looking to the future, these findings may influence how Thais—and people everywhere—present themselves in professional interviews, social media, or community life. In contexts where reputation and appearances matter, emphasizing one’s working-class roots or acts of overcoming adversity may be seen as a trust-building strategy.
For readers in Thailand, the study offers several practical considerations. First, be mindful of how you form judgments about others based on their backgrounds—try to distinguish between perception and reality. In professional or community settings, strive to extend trust based on evidence and personal interaction rather than assumptions tied to class or upbringing. For those from privileged backgrounds, consider how greater transparency and humility can help you build authentic trust with others. As Thailand’s society diversifies and becomes more urbanized, embracing broader and more inclusive definitions of trust and morality can help bridge social divides.
Readers interested in learning more can consult the original research, “Trust and Trust Funds: How Others Childhood and Current Social Class Context Influence Trust Behavior and Expectations,” published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Journal abstract), and the accompanying APA release.