Latest news with #trustworthiness
Fast Company
10-07-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Why do we trust certain people (even when we shouldn't)?
Why are some people perceived as more trustworthy than others? In a perfect world, the answer would be simple: because they are more trustworthy. In other words, ideally, the average human would be perfectly able to infer someone's trustworthiness by objectively assessing their degree of honesty, reliability, and integrity. But, in the real world, things could not be more different. Indeed, there are many factors unrelated to a person's actual honesty that determine whether that person is generally seen as trustworthy or not. Here is just a small selection of them: 1. Attractiveness: The halo that blinds We don't just trust attractive people more. We also assume they are smarter, kinder, more capable, and even morally superior. This is the classic 'halo effect,' the well-documented cognitive bias in which our overall impression of a person (often based on a single positive trait like physical attractiveness, confidence, or status) influences how we judge their unrelated traits, such as intelligence, morality, or trustworthiness. In other words, if someone looks good or sounds smart, we are more likely to assume they are good and smart. The term was first coined by psychologist Edward Thorndike, one of the fathers of social psychology, in 1920, when he observed that military commanders who rated their subordinates as physically impressive also tended to rate them higher on leadership, intelligence, and character, even when there was no evidence to support those links. This spillover effect distorts objective evaluation, making it harder to see people clearly. In practical terms, the halo effect explains why charismatic leaders get away with bad behavior, why attractive people are presumed innocent, and why we often misplace trust in those who simply seem impressive. This is perhaps the most durable illusion in human social perception. The definitive quantitative review comes from J.H. Langlois, who conducted a meta-analysis of 76 studies to test whether 'what is beautiful is good' holds up across various domains. It does. Attractive people were consistently rated more positively across virtually all traits, including honesty and trustworthiness, by both adults and children (yes, even 5-year-olds assume people are more trustworthy when they meet predefined societal archetypes of beauty or attractiveness). The researchers concluded that 'attractive individuals are judged more favorably than unattractive ones, even when there is no objective basis for such judgments.' This bias is not just persistent; it is also consequential. In legal settings, for instance, attractive defendants receive lighter sentences than unattractive ones for identical crimes. In hiring, attractive applicants are rated as more qualified regardless of their résumé. And in leadership, beauty can serve as a false credential for competence. If beauty is a signal, it's a deceptive one. Especially because attractive individuals learn (early and consistently) that charm and appearance open doors. Over time, this can create a mismatch between how trustworthy they appear and how trustworthy they are. And this mismatch is something many learn to exploit. In theory, it should lead to a self-correction over time, such that beauty or appearance ceases to act as a signal of trustworthiness (becoming instead a fake signal or noise). So far, though, it is clear that even if you can't judge a book by its cover, people still do; and there is no second chance for a good first impression. 2. Social class: The wealthier they seem, the more we trust them Status symbols trigger unconscious biases. A seminal study found that people wearing luxury brand logos (think Ralph Lauren, Rolex, or even carrying a Starbucks cup) were judged as more competent and trustworthy, regardless of their actual behavior. Note that there are only trivial differences in actual prosocial behavior in general by social class or socioeconomic status, so the perceived effect is more like a self-fulfilling prophecy and subjective or cultural projection, than a reality-based inference. In fact, some studies suggest that certain antisocial behaviors are more frequent or likely in higher status individuals. In a large-scale study, higher socioeconomic status was associated with significantly higher rates of unethical behaviors in a range of contexts, from cheating in games to endorsing dishonest behavior in hypothetical scenarios. The researchers also found a negative association between social class and empathy. In other words, people with more resources and power were less likely to consider the perspectives of others or feel compelled to behave ethically. So, while our instincts might nudge us to defer to the affluent, the evidence says we should do the opposite: interrogate the credentials behind the confidence, and ask whether their influence reflects substance or merely style. 3. Charisma: A red flag in disguise? Charisma is often mistaken for authenticity, but as any psychologist will tell you, it's frequently a performance—and one that masks darker traits. Narcissists and psychopaths tend to score high on perceived charisma. They know how to manipulate impression management to engineer trust. In fact, according to a meta-analysis, individuals with high narcissistic traits are more likely to rise to leadership positions, in part because their confidence and charm seduce people into trusting them, even when that trust is undeserved. Put simply, we confuse style for substance. And we pay for it later. 4. Familiarity and fluency: Trusting what feels easy This is perhaps the most pervasive finding of all. We tend to trust people who look like us, speak like us, or fit our mental models. This is called the mere exposure effect, and it means we trust what we recognize, even when it's not trustworthy. For example, research has shown that people with easily pronounceable names are seen as more likable and even more trustworthy. In the corporate world, people with 'simpler' or Anglo-sounding names are more likely to be hired and promoted. It's bias masquerading as gut instinct. This bias toward the familiar is not just an aesthetic preference, it can be morally distorting. Psychologist Paul Bloom, in his book Against Empathy, argues that our instinctive emotional empathy is narrow, biased, and often unethical precisely because it is selective. We are more likely to feel empathy for those who resemble us, think like us, or share our background, even when that empathy is misplaced. Bloom contends that this favoritism can lead to harmful decisions, such as favoring charismatic insiders over competent outsiders or excusing unethical behavior from those we identify with. In other words, when familiarity governs our moral instincts, trust becomes parochial, and our judgments lose objectivity. So how can we get better at trusting the right people — especially in a world where style so often disguises substance? 1. Focus on behavioral consistency, not first impressions Instead of asking 'Do I like this person?' or 'Do they seem confident?' ask: 'Have they behaved predictably and reliably over time?' Research in personality psychology shows that trustworthiness is strongly correlated with the trait of conscientiousness, which manifests as consistency in behavior, follow-through, and self-control. Interestingly, conscientious people may often be the exact opposite of entertaining, charismatic, attention-seeking, narcissistic individuals. At times, they can be quite boring in the sense of being structured, organized, methodical, and predictable, which is precisely what makes them so reliable and trustworthy. You probably won't have much fun if they organize your vacation (a spreadsheet for everything and zero time for serendipity), but they are your perfect choice if you want someone to organize or manage your finances. 2. Discount overconfidence—it is often a proxy for deception People tend to mistake confidence for competence, and even more dangerously, for integrity. But the research is clear: overconfidence is often unrelated to actual ability, and it is positively correlated with deceit. A widely cited study showed that individuals who were most overconfident in their self-assessments were also most likely to cheat or deceive others when given the opportunity. In other words, if someone always seems certain and never admits what they don't know, that is not a sign of strength. It is a sign of strategic self-presentation. 3. Judge character through adversity, not performance in ideal conditions People's true nature is more visible when things go wrong. Research on moral character and trust by Nancy Darling and colleagues shows that stressful or ambiguous situations expose discrepancies between stated values and actual behaviors. If someone remains generous, fair, or honest when there is no benefit to doing so, or when the pressure is on, it is a much stronger signal of trustworthiness than how they act during polished moments or well-rehearsed pitches. 4. Take your biases seriously, not personally Everyone is biased. But most people assume that they are the exception. In one famous study on bias blind spots, over 85% of participants believed they were less biased than the average person. That illusion of objectivity is precisely what makes us so susceptible to misplaced trust. You are not a human lie detector. None of us are. But you can become more accurate if you start by doubting your own instincts and controlling for the predictable ways they go wrong. Trust, then, is not just a matter of judgment. It is a mirror reflecting our hopes, biases, and blind spots. We trust not because others are trustworthy, but because we need to believe they are. And the more persuasive the illusion, be it beauty, confidence, wealth, or likability, the more likely we are to mistake it for the real thing. This is not a flaw in individual reasoning, but a feature of human cognition. Our brains are designed to take shortcuts, especially when it comes to social decisions. The problem is that those shortcuts were optimized for tribal life, not complex modern systems where bad actors can scale their charm and weaponize it. The solution is not to stop trusting. It is to trust smarter. That means getting more curious about people's track records than their charisma, more attuned to patterns than first impressions, and more willing to scrutinize those who seem above scrutiny. It means accepting that your instincts might be less accurate than you think, especially when they feel most certain. Ultimately, the goal is not to become cynical, but discerning; to replace reflex with reflection, and wishful thinking with evidence.
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Beards may be dirtier than toilets – but all men should grow one
It's a convenient truth of our time that if you Google for long enough, you will eventually find the answer you want. In other words, there's a lot of anti-beard propaganda out there, and I'm not falling for any of it. I love beards. So I keep scrolling. Past the recent Washington Post report that some toilets contain fewer germs than the average beard (that's pretty much true of phone screens, and we happily rub them on our faces). Not even pausing on an investigation into whether it would be hygienic to scan canines and humans in the same MRI machine, which found most beards contained more microbes and bacteria than dog fur. La la la, I'm not listening. Finally, a link worth clicking – a researcher at the University of Leicester supplying a more nuanced picture – AKA My Truth. Primrose Freestone, senior lecturer in clinical microbiology, says: 'The microbial population on skin varies by location and is influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, humidity and nutrient availability.' She points out that regular washing 'removes dirt, oils, allergens and dead skin, helping prevent microbial buildup'. Phew. Although germs be damned, nothing could put me off anyway. All men look better with beards and I will die on that hill; my husband instantly resembles an estate agent without his. Beards also give men an easy advantage in life (come on, they needed one): those with them are instinctively more trustworthy than their bald-chinned counterparts. I would go so far as to suggest that men without beards are ungrateful. If you're able to, why wouldn't you embrace an aesthetic that requires less effort than the alternative – as in, literally no effort – and will not only make you more handsome generally, but also, as the years roll by, disguise what used to be your jawline? Beards are free, painless plastic surgery. A hairy little glow-up, available to most, regardless of wealth or status. The great leveller, right under your nose this whole time. Genuinely rude not to. Polly Hudson is a freelance writer Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The most trusted news source for young men revealed… and it's a major issue for Democrats
A new poll shows that men 18-45 believe that long-form podcasts are more trustworthy than other news sources like cable news or legacy media networks. Eighteen percent of men 18-45 selected long form podcasts like the one hosted by comedian Joe Rogan and the Ruthless Podcast as the most trustworthy and honest source of information about politics and government, according to polling from National Research Inc. exclusively shared with the Daily Mail Fourteen percent of men in the same age demographic chose social media from X and TikTok as the most trustworthy news sources, followed by 14 percent who cited legacy and cable news networks like ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC/MSNBC. Twelve percent of young men cited newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post and also 12 percent chose the liberal cable news channel MSNBC. Twenty-eight percent were not sure. The poll of 1,000 registered voters in the United States was conducted by Republican pollster National Research Inc. 'What we are seeing is a massive shift in how younger people and Republicans consume news and information and I think podcasts like Ruthless and Rogan are really out the forefront of this,' Adam Geller, the CEO of National Research Inc. told the Daily Mail. Overall, 20 percent of Americans consider conservative cable news networks like Fox News more trustworthy followed closely by legacy media outlets at 17 percent. But the trend for younger voters toward podcast was notable, Geller said. He said he threw the question in about podcasts in his polling routine and included the name of the Ruthless Podcast with Rogan's podcast to get perspective from younger voters. Geller said his own media habits shifted during the election, and grew to enjoy both Rogan and the Ruthless podcast, hosted by Republican political operatives Josh Holmes, John Ashbrook, Michael Duncan, and 'Comfortably Smug' in Washington, DC. 'Trust in the media is going down,' he said. 'I do find it very, very informative.' The Ruthless podcast built up their audience during the 2024 campaign, most notably going on a fishing trip with Trump's running mate Sen. JD Vance and frequently appearing with journalist Megyn Kelly on her podcast to comment on the presidential race. The trend toward podcasts and the Trump campaign's ability to seize on that trend helped the president win in 2024. The Ruthless podcast grew in influence after one of the hosts John Ashbrook appeared in the 'new media seat' created by Trump press officials in the White House press briefing room. Ashbrook's viral appearance at the White House press briefing in January, helped them reach new levels of popularity and grow their subscriber base.
Geeky Gadgets
16-06-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Social Media Assessment: Your Complete Guide to Personal Safety Screening in 2025
Imagine you've just hired what seemed like the perfect babysitter. Great references, clean background check, wonderful interview. Then, three weeks later, you stumble across their social media posts bragging about getting drunk while 'watching some rich family's bratty kids.' Your stomach drops. Same applies for hiring caregivers for your vulnerable relatives, coaches, tutors, or essentially anyone who comes to work for your family or business. When letting people close to those you love, these are the exact nightmare scenarios that should be avoided. The answer is first carrying out a quick but effective social media assessment – a process that's evolved from optional curiosity to essential family protection. While traditional background checks scan for criminal records, they miss entirely the behavioral red flags social media reveals in stunning detail. And this is all made easy when you use cutting-edge AI tools like Socialprofiler. So, with 56% of women under 50 experiencing unwanted online behaviors and 1 in 10 dating profiles being completely fake, the need for thorough social media assessment has never been more critical. Here's everything you need to know when it comes to carrying out your own social media assessments. What is social media assessment (and why it's different from business screening) Social media assessment is the systematic evaluation of someone's online presence to make informed decisions about personal safety, compatibility, and trustworthiness. This could be as simple as loading up someone's Instagram and having a scroll, but it can be as comprehensive as using online tools like Socialprofiler that can scrape every leading social media profile to generate a report that details absolutely everything you could need to know about someone in explicit detail, saving you time and giving you even better data to make informed decisions. Think of it this way: traditional background checks tell you about someone's past legal troubles, but social media assessment reveals their current personality, judgment, and behavior patterns. All revealing things, like concerning attitudes, poor decision-making, or lifestyle choices that directly impact your safety. The reality is staggering: 60% of people maintain active social media profiles, yet traditional screening completely ignores this goldmine of behavioral information. The average person uses 6.83 different social media platforms monthly, creating a digital footprint that paints a remarkably accurate picture of who they really are when no one's watching. Here's where manual checking falls short—and why Socialprofiler has become indispensable for families serious about safety. While you could theoretically spend days checking Instagram stories, Facebook posts, TikTok videos, and X interactions individually, Socialprofiler's AI analyzes all platforms simultaneously, cross-references connections, identifies behavioral patterns, and delivers comprehensive insights in a fraction of the time. When you need social media assessment: Real-world scenarios that hit home Understanding when to conduct a social media assessment can literally be the difference between safety and regret in the real world. Here are the situations where thorough screening isn't just smart—it's essential. Dating safety verification Everyone knows the world of modern online dating is a bit of a minefield, especially for women who have their very safety to consider. There's a reason 60% of daters research their matches on social media before meeting. The problem is, what's the point if you don't know what to look for or how to conduct comprehensive checks across multiple platforms to get the full picture? If someone really is a danger, why wouldn't they have a fake or basic profile on show with their other profiles kept out of the limelight? The risks are real: romance scams alone cost victims millions annually, and that's before considering the dangers of meeting someone who's online persona doesn't match reality. Red flags like inconsistent stories across platforms limited authentic photos, or concerning behavioral patterns often hide in plain sight on social media—if you know where to look. Childcare provider screening When it comes to the people caring for your children, thorough vetting isn't paranoia—it's parental responsibility. While references and interviews provide valuable insights, social media reveals the unfiltered person behind the professional facade. These aren't people with obvious criminal records—they're individuals whose problematic behaviors and poor judgment only became apparent through comprehensive screening that traditional background checks missed. Social media assessment can reveal crucial character indicators: How do they speak about previous employers or children in their care? Do they show respect for privacy and boundaries? Are there signs of substance abuse, anger management issues, or concerning associations? Eldercare protection Elderly family members represent one of our most vulnerable populations, making caregiver screening absolutely critical. Consider this sobering statistic: 1 out of 10 nursing home residents has experienced some kind of abuse. Elder abuse affects millions of seniors annually, and financial exploitation often begins with seemingly trustworthy caregivers who gradually build access to sensitive information. Social media screening helps identify potential red flags like gambling problems, financial difficulties, or attitudes toward elderly people that might not surface during interviews. It's about protecting those who can't protect themselves. Home service provider verification The gig economy has made it easier than ever to hire contractors, cleaners, dog walkers, and other service providers. While convenient, this also means welcoming strangers into your home based on limited information. HomeAdvisor's comprehensive contractor screening process demonstrates how professional services recognize the importance of thorough vetting. Individual consumers deserve the same level of protection when making personal hiring decisions. However, you get far more control and peace of mind when you carry out the checks yourself, alleviating your own reservations and giving yourself the full picture. Get your first Socialprofiler report today and enjoy an exclusive discount on us. Manual checking vs. AI-powered assessment: Why automation wins every time Sure, you could take all this information and go ahead and start browsing someone's social media profiles to get the truth you're looking for. However, this manual approach is incredibly time-consuming, incomplete, and surprisingly unreliable. The reality of manual assessment Trying to properly assess someone's social media presence manually typically requires 3-6 hours of dedicated research time. You're checking multiple platforms, scrolling through months or years of posts, trying to identify patterns, and attempting to understand context—all while hoping you don't miss something crucial. Human bias inevitably affects interpretation. You might overlook red flags because you like someone, or conversely, focus on minor issues because of an initial negative impression. Inconsistent methodology means different people check different things, leading to wildly different conclusions about the same individual. Most importantly, manual checking often misses the forest for the trees. While you're focused on individual posts, you might miss broader behavioral patterns, concerning connections, or subtle indicators that only become apparent through comprehensive analysis. The AI revolution in personal screening This is where Socialprofiler transforms the entire experience. Watch this video on YouTube. What takes human investigators days to accomplish, Socialprofiler completes in minutes through sophisticated AI algorithms that simultaneously analyze multiple platforms. Comprehensive multi-platform analysis means no more jumping between Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X trying to piece together a complete picture. Socialprofiler aggregates data from all major platforms, providing a unified view of someone's digital presence. means no more jumping between Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X trying to piece together a complete picture. Socialprofiler aggregates data from all major platforms, providing a unified view of someone's digital presence. Pattern recognition capabilities identify behavioral trends that humans consistently miss. The AI analyzes posting frequency, sentiment patterns, interaction styles, and even connection networks to build a comprehensive personality profile. identify behavioral trends that humans consistently miss. The AI analyzes posting frequency, sentiment patterns, interaction styles, and even connection networks to build a comprehensive personality profile. Objective evaluation eliminates human bias through consistent criteria applied uniformly to every assessment. You get the same thorough analysis whether you're screening a potential romantic partner or a childcare provider. Most importantly, Socialprofiler delivers professional-grade insights in an easy-to-understand format. Instead of drowning in raw social media data, you receive clear summaries, risk indicators, and actionable insights that inform your decision-making process. Red flags and green flags: What to look for With all this in mind, let's talk about what to actually look out for. The red and green flags. What constitutes concerning behavior versus positive indicators. Critical red flags that demand attention Behavioral concerns top the list: aggressive communication patterns, frequent conflicts with others, or posts indicate substance abuse problems. These aren't isolated incidents—they're patterns that reveal character. top the list: aggressive communication patterns, frequent conflicts with others, or posts indicate substance abuse problems. These aren't isolated incidents—they're patterns that reveal character. Inconsistency across platforms often indicates deception. Someone who presents as a dedicated professional on LinkedIn while posting about illegal activities on Instagram is showing you exactly who they really are. often indicates deception. Someone who presents as a dedicated professional on LinkedIn while posting about illegal activities on Instagram is showing you exactly who they really are. Privacy extremes cut both ways. Completely hidden profiles might indicate legitimate privacy concerns, but they could also suggest someone hiding problematic behavior. Conversely, massive oversharing often indicates poor judgment about boundaries. cut both ways. Completely hidden profiles might indicate legitimate privacy concerns, but they could also suggest someone hiding problematic behavior. Conversely, massive oversharing often indicates poor judgment about boundaries. Concerning associations matter more than many people realize. Connections to individuals or groups involved in illegal activities, extremist viewpoints, or abusive behaviors can indicate shared values or poor judgment. Positive indicators worth noting Consistency across platforms and time periods suggests authenticity. When someone's LinkedIn professional persona aligns with their Instagram family photos and their Facebook community involvement, you're likely seeing their genuine character. suggests authenticity. When someone's LinkedIn professional persona aligns with their Instagram family photos and their Facebook community involvement, you're likely seeing their genuine character. Appropriate workplace and family interactions demonstrate respect for boundaries and professional conduct. Look for evidence of long-term positive relationships and community involvement. demonstrate respect for boundaries and professional conduct. Look for evidence of long-term positive relationships and community involvement. Authentic engagement with friends and family over extended periods indicates genuine connections rather than manufactured online personas. Remember: context always matters. A single questionable post from years ago carries less weight than recent patterns of concerning behavior. Socialprofiler's AI excels at providing this context, weighing recent activity more heavily while identifying genuine behavioral trends versus isolated incidents. Taking action: Protect your family today Don't wait for a security incident to learn someone's true identity. While manual investigation takes weeks and misses crucial connections, Socialprofiler delivers 97% efficiency gains with comprehensive analysis in minutes, not months. Skip the detective work that investigators charge thousands for. Socialprofiler provides enterprise-grade social media deep search capabilities with 100+ data sources, behavioral pattern recognition, and automated cross-platform analysis that manual methods simply cannot match. Ready to experience professional-grade investigation? Get your comprehensive social media deep search with Socialprofiler today and discover what traditional methods miss. Your safety and peace of mind are worth the investment in AI-powered protection. Start your advanced social media deep search now and join thousands who've transformed their approach to online verification. Filed Under: Guides, Technology News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
