The Influence Of Awe On Interpersonal Trust:The Mediating Role Of Psychological Distance And The Moderating Role Of Familiarity

Interpersonal trust is the foundation of cooperation,an important premise of interpersonal harmony and an indispensable factor of social stability.Many studies have shown that emotion is an important factor affecting interpersonal trust,and more and more researches begin to pay attention to the influence of a specific emotion on interpersonal trust.As a kind of positive emotional experience,awe refers to the amazing emotional experience when we face the broad,vast and beyond the scope of our current understanding.In recent years,many empirical studies have shown that awe,as a positive emotion,has positive effects on prosocial behavior.Therefore,we predict that as a positive emotion,awe will promote interpersonal trust.Based on previous studies,this study uses the method of questionnaire survey and experimental research to test the influence of awe on interpersonal trust through three studies.Study1 used the Interpersonal Trust Scale(ITS),the Psychological Distance Scale(IOS)and the awe subscale of the Trait Positive Emotion Scale(DPES)to explore the relationship between trait awe and interpersonal trust,and the mediating effect of psychological distance.Study2 employed a one-factor(emotion: awe vs.neutral)between-subjects design.134 subjects were recruited and randomly divided into two groups to view related pictures and then completed the trust investment task as well as the psychological distance test to explore the influence of awe on interpersonal trust and the mediating role of psychological distance.Study3 employed a 3(emotion:awe vs.neutral vs.happiness)×2(familiarity: strange vs.familiar)mixed experimental design.150 subjects were recruited and randomly divided into three groups to watch video materials and then completed the trust investment task to explore the influence of awe on interpersonal trust and the moderating role of familiarity.Based on the above three studies,this study draws the following conclusions:(1)There is a significant positive correlation between trait awe and interpersonal trust.(2)Awe(trait awe and state awe)can improve the level of interpersonal trust.(3)Psychological distance from strangers plays a partial mediating role in the influence of trait awe on interpersonal trust.(4)Familiarity plays a moderating role in the influence of state awe on interpersonal trust.When the trustee is strange,compared with happiness,state awe can promote the individual’s interpersonal trust,but when the trustee is familiar,the promoting effect disappears.In conclusion,these three studies prove that awe can improve the interpersonal trust level of individuals,psychological distance from strangers plays a partial mediating role in the influence of trait awe on interpersonal trust,familiarity moderates the effect of state awe on interpersonal trust.