[Deep Freeze] Sunday, December 14, 2008 8:23:09 AM
OK then my friends, let us undertake a discussion of trust!
We first look at the definition of the word trust, which is reliance on strength, ability or truth of someone or something. Trust would seem to be more of a social construct in that involves two or more people. A hermit living in a cave has no need for trusting another. Still, he may need the same skills for developing a sense of trust, such as trusting in nature and whatnot, but this trust is basically one sided and does not offer reciprocity.
In modern culture, it is often said that trust, like respect, is earned. Trust and cooperation seem to go hand in hand. Afterall, what reason is there for trust without cooperation? Again, a familiar social construct. In this context, trust may be considered a "faith" in the consistency of another. Most often, this is coupled with what one expects as a benefit from this faith. (What is in it for me) The capacity to trust is, therefore, socialized behavior below that of direct thought since we tend to be very selfish creatures by nature. Only when trust is betrayed does the cognitive brain begin to identify the conflict and seeks to re-evaluate the situation. Once identified, the "victim" can choose to "turn the other cheek", as it were, or discontinue the cooperative behavior. The response can also be punitive; that is to say that there is a sense of need for retribution. Quite often this leads to a cycle of response and counter-response. Betrayal breaks the patterns of recognized cooperation in which trust is vested. We often see the "victim" choose a course of "heightened awareness" or being "on guard"
The ability to trust comes from the desire to build relationships with others. By seeking out friendships and cooperative social condition, people learn what to expect from others and thusly, learn who can be "trusted" and who cannot. The ability to forgive will often play a large part in how a person responds to betrayal and the defense mechanism he or she possesses. Trust, like respect,is clearly earned and in some cases it is lost and re-gained through effort and contrition.
