The Dark Side of Trust: When Trust Becomes a 'Poisoned Chalice'

Skinner, D.; Dietz, G.; Weibel, A.

doi:10.1177/1350508412473866

The Dark Side of Trust: When Trust Becomes a 'Poisoned Chalice'

Skinner, D.; Dietz, G.; Weibel, A.

Authors

D. Skinner

G. Dietz

A. Weibel

Abstract

Trust is typically portrayed as beneficial to all concerned; something which is inherently good. In this article we focus on interpersonal trust and argue that, while there are undoubted benefits, trust can also be problematic; there are circumstances in which it can become a ‘poisoned chalice’ for one or other of the parties involved. We question whether the potential for negative experiences in relation to trust has been fully explored and argue that its true dark side lies within the dynamics of the trust relationship. From this stance we use the social exchange and gift giving literatures to re-appraise trust in a way that highlights the importance of expectation and intent and demonstrates the circumstances in which trust may not be beneficial for one of the parties involved. We conclude with a research agenda which we believe will further develop our understanding of this complex human interaction.

Citation

Skinner, D., Dietz, G., & Weibel, A. (2014). The Dark Side of Trust: When Trust Becomes a 'Poisoned Chalice'. Organization, 21(2), 206-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508412473866

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Mar 1, 2014
Deposit Date	Feb 13, 2013
Publicly Available Date	Nov 19, 2014
Journal	Organization
Print ISSN	1350-5084
Electronic ISSN	1461-7323
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	21
Issue	2
Pages	206-224
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508412473866
Keywords	Dark side of trust, Manipulation, Trust and gift-giving, Trust relationships, Unwanted obligation.
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1466604

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Copyright Statement
Skinner, D. and Dietz, G. and Weibel, A. (2014) 'The dark side of trust : when trust becomes a ‘poisoned chalice’.', Organization., 21 (2). pp. 206-224. © The Author(s) 2013. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.