The dark side of trust: When trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’

Denise Skinner, Graham Dietz, Antoinette Weibel

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

    54 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Trust is typically portrayed as beneficial to all concerned; something which is inherently good. In this article we focus on interpersonal trust and argue that, while there are undoubted benefits, trust can also be problematic; there are circumstances in which it can become a ‘poisoned chalice’ for one or other of the parties involved. We question whether the potential for negative experiences in relation to trust has been fully explored and argue that its true dark side lies within the dynamics of the trust relationship. From this stance we use the social exchange and gift giving literatures to re-appraise trust in a way that highlights the importance of expectation and intent and demonstrates the circumstances in which trust may not be beneficial for one of the parties involved. We conclude with a research agenda which we believe will further develop our understanding of this complex human interaction.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)206-224
    JournalOrganization
    Volume21
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014

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    Interpersonal trust
    Interaction
    Social exchange
    Gift giving
    Research agenda

    Bibliographical note

    This paper is not yet available on the repository

    Keywords

    • Dark side of trust manipulation
    • trust and gift-giving
    • trust relationships
    • unwanted obligation

    Cite this

    The dark side of trust: When trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’. / Skinner, Denise; Dietz, Graham; Weibel, Antoinette.

    In: Organization, Vol. 21, No. 2, 03.2014, p. 206-224.

    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

    Skinner, D, Dietz, G & Weibel, A 2014, 'The dark side of trust: When trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’' Organization, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 206-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508412473866
    Skinner D, Dietz G, Weibel A. The dark side of trust: When trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’. Organization. 2014 Mar;21(2):206-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508412473866
    Skinner, Denise ; Dietz, Graham ; Weibel, Antoinette. / The dark side of trust: When trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’. In: Organization. 2014 ; Vol. 21, No. 2. pp. 206-224.
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