There were a total of 68 participants, and used an EEG. Participants had an average age of 33.66 years and ranged in age from 18 to 62 years of age. Thirty-six individuals were female, and 32 were male.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three trust violation scenarios: ability violation, benevolence violation or integrity violation (i.e. an individual is not honest in their interactions with others). The participants were presented with one of three pre-recorded trust violation events (ability, benevolence or integrity) by the EEG technician. These were presented to the participants as though it were live. Each trust violation event lasted approximately 20s (conversation start to finish). There were a number of loud noises such as a door opening, which was used to heighten the realism of the recorded audio segment. EEG activity was used as an indicator of the neurological reaction to each trust violation.

The language used in the 3 experimental manipulations was designed to reflect the definitions of ability, benevolence and integrity.

Methods and Procedure

The results indicated that trust violations are processed in social cognitive-related brain areas. Specifically, the results identified the significance of the default mode network (DMN), relevant to the processing of social information, in trust violation and further isolated distinct activity for each of the 3 trust violations. 

Integrity violations demonstrated the greatest reaction in the DMN. Benevolence violations generated the next greatest reaction (meaning that the two people in the recording being unconcerned about wasting each other's time had a less serious implication compared to the integrity violation). However, this was not significantly different from the ability violations.

In regards to the integrity violations generating the greatest response in the DMN, one should note that the DMN plays a role in helping to navigate social interactions. With this in mind, this particular integrity violation would lead to the trustor/participant being less likely to take risks with the other individual.

Summary of results

The study's findings demonstrate the involvement of the DMN (default mode network) in the processing of trust violations and provides evidence that the degree of activation of the DMN differs according to the type of trust-worthiness that is violated. They also suggest that the difference in reactions to each of the 3 trust violations is related to how individuals understand and interpret the emotions and intentions of others.

The study's findings also carry important implications for organizations and their employees. Specifically, in areas where they can take action to manage trust violations as they occur, to facilitate workplace relationship repair and providing insight into the types of violations that might be most damaging to trust in workplace relationships.

This is the first study to examine different types of trust violations and their corresponding impacts. With the current and previous study's results, it clearly indicate that different types of violations evoke different responses in relation to DMN activation, and that integrity violations have the potential to create the greatest response.

Discussion - why is this important?

Pepperdine University

- Emotion, Aggression, Stress
- Psychopathology

Neuroscience of Emotions and Mental Disorders

van der Werff, L., O'Shea, D., Healy, G., Buckley, F., Real, C., Keane, M., & Lynn, T. (2023). The neuroscience of trust violation: Differential activation of the default mode network in ability, benevolence and integrity breaches. Applied Psychology, 72(4), 1392-1408.

The neuroscience of trust violation: Differential activation of the default mode network in ability, benevolence and integrity breaches

The body and mind has multiple ways of responding to emotions. 

Emotions, aggression and stress in the brain

Psychopathology is a term with a dual meaning. It refers to the scientific study of psychological disorders, which includes investigating their symptoms, etiology (causes), and potential treatments. Concurrently, the term can also describe the manifestation of a psychological disorder itself, meaning the abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that indicate its presence.

Psychopathology

Reference for The neuroscience of trust violation: Differential activation of the default mode network inability, benevolence and integrity breaches

There were a total of 68 participants, and used an EEG.  Participants had an average age of 33.66 years and ranged in age from 18 to 62 years of age. Thirty-six individuals were female, and 32 were male.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three trust violation scenarios: ability violation, benevolence violation or integrity violation. The participants were presented with one of three pre-recorded trust violation events (ability, benevolence or integrity) by the EEG technician. These were presented to the participants as though it were live. Each trust violation event lasted approximately 20s (conversation start to finish). There were a number of loud noises such as a door opening, which was used to heighten the realism of the recorded audio segment. EEG activity was used as an indicator of the neurological reaction to each trust violation.

The language used in the 3 experimental manipulations was designed to reflect the definitions of ability, benevolence and integrity.

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