Why is it that citizens sometimes distrust public institutions, even when those institutions are functioning well? And what does this mean for çitizens’ willingness to contribute to society? Social psychologist Giuliana Spadaro explores these questions in her Vidi project. She has received this grant for her research into the relationship between trust in public institutions and societal cooperation.
Spadaro investigates the prevalence of misperceptions regarding how institutions function, and examines how a more accurate understanding of their performance could strengthen mutual trust and cooperation within society.
When perception and reality diverge
A well-functioning society requires cooperation - for instance, through paying taxes, adhering to public health measures, and contributing to the common good. Public institutions play a crucial role in facilitating such cooperation.
Yet, citizens do not always perceive how well these institutions are actually performing. A gap can emerge between an institution’s real-world performance and the public’s perception of it. Such a discrepancy can undermine trust in institutions and reduce the willingness of individuals to participate in collective action.
Investigating the origins of distrust
“In my research, I aim to uncover how these misperceptions arise and how an institution’s actual performance and the public’s perception of it influence cooperation,” says Spadaro. She also explores whether an inaccurate perception can be corrected, and whether doing so makes people more inclined to cooperate.
At the heart of this inquiry is not only whether institutions function effectively, but also how citizens experience that functioning. It is precisely the interplay between reality and the perception of that reality that can influence people’s trust and behavior.
Significance for society
The findings from Spadaro’s research may contribute to new strategies strengthening trust in public institutions and fostering cooperation among citizens. This is socially relevant, as collective challenges often require large-scale cooperation among strangers.
Furthermore, these insights can be helpful in situations where significant or costly reforms are difficult to implement. If existing misconceptions hinder the effectiveness of sound policy, a better understanding of these perceptions can provide a starting point for increasing trust and the willingness to cooperate.
In doing so, Spadaro suggests that good policy alone is not always sufficient: the way citizens perceive public institutions can also be a decisive factor in the success of such policies.