Trust of the Stranger: An Urban/Small Town Comparison

Abstract

Summary An empirical examination was made of the notion that rural area residents are more friendly, warm, and trusting than city residents. Four male and female confederates presented themselves at the homes of strangers in middle class neighborhoods in New York City and a number of small towns in Rockland County and asked to be admitted to use the phone. A total of 160 homes were sampled. Results indicated that (a) town residents were more trusting, allowing significantly more entries than city residents, and (b) males were less trusted than females, achieving significantly fewer entries. However, findings appear not to be the result of the coldness or indifference of city residents, but rather may be a consequence of the experience of living in the city on the perceived vulnerability of the resident.