Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Trust in modern society refers to the belief or confidence that individuals have in the reliability, honesty, and integrity of others within their social environment. It is the foundation for building relationships and maintaining social cohesion.
Related terms
Social capital: Social capital refers to the resources, connections, and networks that are built through trust and cooperation within a community.
Distrust: Distrust is the opposite of trust and involves skepticism or suspicion towards others' intentions or actions.
Reputation: Reputation is the perception or opinion that others hold about an individual's character, credibility, and trustworthiness based on their past behavior or actions.