Theoretical and empirical study on societal differences in adaptive strategies for building trusting relationships

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K03011
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 10010:Social psychology-related
• Research Institution: Health Sciences University of Hokkaido
• Principal Investigator: MASHIMA Rie 北海道医療大学, 心理科学部, 講師 (30509162)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 信頼 / 協力 / 機会コスト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The relationship between behavioral strategies and opportunity cost in relationship formation and maintenance was examined. The results revealed that people in high opportunity cost environments tended to invest more resources not only in relationship formation but also in relationship maintenance than those in low opportunity cost environments, suggesting that behavioral strategies acquired by people in low opportunity cost environments may be acquired in a different way from interpersonal skills. In addition, it was shown that cooperative behavior and demonstration of ability and diligence are effective behavioral strategies for regaining trust and forming and maintaining relationships in situations where one person has lost the trust of others.

Free Research Field

社会心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

対人関係の関係形成・維持場面における行動方略と，機会コスト（現在身を置いている関係の外部に，どの程度より良い関係が存在するか）の関係について検討を行った。その結果，機会コストの小さい（既存の関係に留まり続けることのコストが小さい）環境に身を置く人々に比べ，機会コストの大きい（既存の関係に留まり続けることのコストが大きい）環境に身を置く人々の方が，関係形成のみならず関係維持にも資源を投資する傾向があることが明らかとなり，機会コストの小さい環境に身を置く人々が獲得している行動方略が，見極め能力などの対人スキルとは別の形で獲得されている可能性が示唆された。