Effects of Cues of Observation on Trust and Trustworthy Behaviours

Abstract

<p>Certain factors associated with online video communication have negative effects on the quality of an interaction. One’s propensity to trust others or reciprocate trust with others online may be influenced by these factors of video-mediated communication. I investigated the effects of two such factors on pro-social behaviours in two separate experiments. In the first experiment I assessed levels of reciprocation in the presence of absence of a web-camera, to see if the presence of a camera was a sufficient enough cue of observation to induce trustworthy behaviours. In the second experiment I tested the effect eye gaze had on trusting and trustworthy behaviours. Results from the current research suggest that direct eye gaze is an important factor in deciding whom to trust and with whom to reciprocate trust. The current research introduces methodological changes that help to combat high levels of variability in participant responses. Future directions for research on eye gaze and other factors of video-mediated communication are discussed.</p>