AbstractsPsychology

A new dual-process cognitive and affective trust in leadership framework is proposed and tested in a field study. 504 undergraduate students participated in the study and structural equation modeling was employed to perform the analysis. Cognition-based trust perception works together with cognitive reaction toward the leader to form cognitive trust determinant, while relationship-based trust perception works together with affective reaction toward the leader to form affective trust determinant. The cognitive and affective trust determinants influence trust willingness at the same time. Most of the hypothesized paths were supported. In addition, the relationships between memory systems and different trust processes were tested using an experimental design. It was proposed that semantic memory has a stronger connection to the cognitive trust path; whereas, episodic memory has a stronger connection to the affective trust path. However, results did not support these hypotheses. Instead, results suggested that the memory conditions equally influence cognitive and affective trust paths to trust willingness. Exploratory analyses were conducted on organizational antecedents and outcomes for cognition-based trust perception and relationship-based trust perception. Explanations and practical implications of findings, future directions of research and limitations of this study are discussed.