A new study by psychologists finds that people’s trust in others is influenced by their childhood financial background more than their current status. In experiments with nearly 2,000 participants, researchers observed that individuals described as having grown up in modest circumstances were trusted more than those depicted as having privileged upbringings. This effect persisted even when current incomes were similar.
In the experiments, participants played a trust game with fictional profiles that hinted at education, early work, and travel experiences. “Trusters” decided how many raffle tickets to give to “trustees,” where each ticket represented potential monetary reward. The number of tickets given served as a measure of behavioral trust.
Results showed a clear pattern: profiles suggesting less privilege earned more trust than those implying wealth. Attending public school or helping family finances in youth increased trust, while private schooling or expensive holidays did the opposite. Importantly, current wealth alone did not drive trust; childhood circumstances mattered most in shaping perceptions.
According to the lead researcher, trust is fundamental to healthy relationships, workplaces, and social cohesion. The study suggests people often connect a person’s childhood with their present behavior, sometimes rating those from lower-income backgrounds as more moral and trustworthy. The researchers note that trust can be directed toward people from lower current status, but overall belief in their reliability may still be tempered by biased assumptions about upbringing.
A related finding explored how class signals affect perceived morality. Participants repeatedly linked modest childhoods with higher morality and trust, even when a person’s current class differed.
While the study did not measure actual trustworthiness across groups, it highlights deep-seated biases that could influence professional and social interactions. The researchers recommend awareness of how upbringing narratives shape first impressions and decision-making.
For Thai readers, the study resonates with local dynamics of social status and reputation. In Thai culture, concepts like humility, resilience, and “nam jai” (generosity and sincerity) often guide everyday interactions. This research invites individuals and organizations to reflect on how personal stories of hardship or privilege might influence trust in Thai workplaces, classrooms, and communities.
Practical implications for Thailand include fostering transparent introductions and culturally sensitive communication in interviews and collaborations. Employers and educators can benefit from recognizing unconscious biases and creating inclusive environments that emphasize demonstrated character and reliability over background cues.
Ultimately, the study invites further exploration: do perceptions based on childhood background align with actual behavior, or do stereotypes persist? In the meantime, readers are encouraged to consider how personal narratives are used in social and professional settings — and to balance openness with critical evaluation of trust signals.
According to research from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and ongoing discussions in public-facing media about trust and upbringing, these findings contribute to a broader understanding of how social class shapes perceptions—and how Thai society can navigate these biases with empathy and fairness.