From First Impression to Fairness Perception: Investigating the Impact of Initial Trustworthiness Beliefs

Forthcoming in Holtz, B. C., From First Impression to Fairness Perception: Investigating the Impact of Initial Trustworthiness Beliefs. Personnel Psychology. doi: 10.1111/peps.12092

71 Pages Posted: 5 Dec 2014

See all articles by Brian Holtz

Brian Holtz

Temple University - Department of Human Resource Management; Temple University - Organizational Behavior

Date Written: December 3, 2014

Abstract

Evolutionary theory and neuroscientific evidence suggest that humans automatically infer the trustworthiness of others based on facial appearance. Building upon this knowledge base, this article presents three empirical studies that investigate the influence of initial impressions of trustworthiness on post-event perceptions of justice. Across two vignette studies and one laboratory study, the results consistently suggest that pre-event trustworthiness impressions exert significant indirect effects on post-event justice perceptions. In Study 1 and 2 the effects of trustworthiness were mediated by individuals’ psychological state of trust and fairness-related counterfactual thinking, respectively. In Study 3, the indirect effect of trustworthiness was transmitted through the psychological state of trust alone. The finding that initial trustworthiness impressions derived from surface cues (facial appearance) help shape subsequent perceptions of justice has important implications for justice theory and research.

Keywords: trustworthiness, trust, justice, counterfactual thinking

Suggested Citation

Holtz, Brian, From First Impression to Fairness Perception: Investigating the Impact of Initial Trustworthiness Beliefs (December 3, 2014). Forthcoming in Holtz, B. C., From First Impression to Fairness Perception: Investigating the Impact of Initial Trustworthiness Beliefs. Personnel Psychology. doi: 10.1111/peps.12092, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2533512

Brian Holtz (Contact Author)

Temple University - Department of Human Resource Management ( email )

Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States

Temple University - Organizational Behavior ( email )

Philadelphia, PA
United States

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