Why Trust Is Both Instinctive and Learned: Lessons from the Openmind Trust Metric

Trust. It’s the glue that holds human relationships together, whether personal, professional, or even societal. But here’s the thing: trust isn’t as straightforward as we like to think. It’s not just a matter of “I trust you” or “I don’t.” Trust is layered, messy, and shaped by forces we often don’t consciously notice. That’s where the Openmind Trust Metric comes in, shining a light on the divide between instinctive trust (implicit) and learned trust (explicit). It’s a wake-up call for anyone who’s ever asked, “Why is trusting so hard—or so easy—for me?”

In this article, I’ll break down what trust really is, why it operates on two levels, and how the Openmind Trust Metric can help us become more aware of our trusting tendencies. And I’ll do it without sugarcoating the truth: trust is complicated, and most of us don’t understand it as well as we think we do. But by the end, you’ll have a clearer grasp on how to navigate trust in your life.

The Two Faces of Trust: Instinctive vs. Learned

First, let’s get something straight. Trust operates on two levels: instinctive (implicit) and learned (explicit). Here’s what that means in plain terms:

1. Instinctive Trust (Implicit):
   This is your gut talking. It’s the kind of trust you extend—or withhold—without even thinking about it. It’s shaped by your past experiences, unconscious biases, and even your upbringing. Ever met someone and just felt like you could trust them? That’s implicit trust kicking in.

2. Learned Trust (Explicit):
   This is your rational brain at work. It’s the trust you decide to give after careful consideration. Maybe you’ve known someone for years, and they’ve proven themselves reliable, so you consciously choose to trust them. It’s trust that’s earned over time, shaped by logic and evidence.

Here’s the kicker: these two levels don’t always agree. You might instinctively trust someone but feel hesitant when you stop to think about it. Or the reverse—you might want to trust someone, but your gut just won’t let you. That tension is where the Openmind Trust Metric does its magic.

Why Instinctive Trust Isn’t Always Reliable

Let’s be blunt: your gut is not a perfect guide. Instinctive trust is influenced by all kinds of unconscious factors, many of which aren’t exactly rational. For example:

• Past Experiences:
  If you’ve been betrayed in the past, your gut might tell you not to trust anyone, even people who have done nothing wrong.

• Cultural Conditioning:
  The way you were raised and the environment you grew up in can shape your gut-level trust instincts. Maybe you were taught to “trust but verify,” or maybe you were raised to trust no one until they prove themselves.

• Unconscious Biases:
  Whether we like it or not, we all carry biases that influence our snap judgments. These biases can make us instinctively trust people who seem familiar or distrust those who seem different.

Here’s where things get tricky: your gut might lead you astray, but it also serves a purpose. It’s designed to protect you, to help you make quick decisions in uncertain situations. The problem is, it’s not always calibrated correctly. That’s why it’s essential to bring your explicit trust into the equation.

The Strength of Learned Trust

Unlike instinctive trust, learned trust is built on evidence and experience. It’s the trust you extend after someone has demonstrated that they’re reliable, honest, or competent. This kind of trust tends to be more stable because it’s based on facts rather than feelings.

But here’s the hard truth: building learned trust takes time and effort. It requires you to be patient, observant, and willing to give people a chance to prove themselves. And let’s face it, in today’s fast-paced world, not everyone has the time—or the inclination—to do that.

The Openmind Trust Metric: A Tool for Self-Awareness

Now, let’s talk about the Openmind Trust Metric and why it’s such a game-changer. This psychometric tool measures both your implicit (instinctive) and explicit (learned) attitudes toward trust. By comparing these two scores, it reveals whether there’s alignment or conflict between them.

For example, imagine your implicit trust score is sky-high, but your explicit trust score is much lower. What does that tell you? Probably that you’re naturally inclined to trust others but have learned—through experience or caution—to be more selective. On the flip side, if your implicit trust is low but your explicit trust is high, it might mean you’re fighting against your gut instincts to give people a fair chance.

This kind of insight is invaluable. It forces you to confront the gaps between how you feel and how you act, helping you understand why you trust (or don’t trust) the people in your life.

Why the Gap Matters

So, why does it matter if there’s a gap between your implicit and explicit trust? Because that gap can cause all kinds of problems. Here’s how:

1. Inconsistent Behavior:
   If your implicit and explicit trust don’t align, you might send mixed signals. For example, you might instinctively trust someone but act cold or distant because your explicit trust isn’t there yet. This can confuse people and damage relationships.

2. Missed Opportunities:
   If your implicit trust is too low, you might miss out on valuable connections because you’re too cautious. Conversely, if your implicit trust is too high, you might end up trusting the wrong people and getting hurt.

3. Internal Conflict:
   A mismatch between implicit and explicit trust can leave you feeling torn. You might second-guess yourself constantly, wondering if you’re being too trusting—or not trusting enough.

The Openmind Trust Metric doesn’t just highlight these gaps; it gives you the tools to address them. By becoming more aware of your trust tendencies, you can start to align your instincts with your rational assessments.

Practical Steps to Align Instinctive and Learned Trust

Now that we’ve established why trust operates on two levels and why the gap matters, let’s talk about what you can do about it. Here are some practical steps to bring your implicit and explicit trust into alignment:

1. Reflect on Your Past:
   Think about the experiences that have shaped your trust instincts. Were there moments when your trust was broken? Or times when it was rewarded? Understanding your history can help you recognize why your gut reacts the way it does.

2. Question Your Assumptions:
   Pay attention to the snap judgments you make about people. Are they based on evidence, or are they influenced by unconscious biases? Challenge yourself to think critically about why you feel the way you do.

3. Start Small:
   If you struggle to trust others, try starting with low-stakes situations. For example, trust a coworker with a minor task or share a small personal detail with a friend. Gradually build up to bigger acts of trust.

4. Look for Patterns:
   Use tools like the Openmind Trust Metric to identify patterns in your trust behavior. Do you tend to trust too quickly? Or are you overly cautious? Awareness is the first step toward change.

5. Communicate Openly:
   If you’re feeling conflicted about trusting someone, talk to them about it. Be honest about your feelings and your need for time or reassurance. Most people will appreciate your transparency.

6. Trust Yourself:
   Finally, don’t forget to trust your own judgment. While it’s important to balance instinct and reason, you also need to have confidence in your ability to make good decisions.

Trust in Action: A Case Study

Let’s bring this to life with a real-world example. Imagine you’re starting a new job, and you’re trying to figure out whether to trust your manager. Your implicit trust might tell you they’re trustworthy based on their body language and tone of voice. But your explicit trust might be more cautious, urging you to wait until they’ve proven themselves.

By using the Openmind Trust Metric, you realize that your gut is overly optimistic because you tend to associate confidence with trustworthiness. Armed with this insight, you decide to take a balanced approach: you extend some initial trust but set clear boundaries and expectations until your manager earns your full trust.

This kind of deliberate, self-aware approach to trust can save you a lot of heartache—and help you build stronger, more authentic relationships.

The Bottom Line

Trust is one of the most complex and important aspects of human interaction. It’s both instinctive and learned, shaped by our experiences, biases, and rational evaluations. The Openmind Trust Metric offers a powerful tool for understanding and navigating this complexity, helping us bridge the gap between our gut instincts and our rational minds.

But let’s not sugarcoat it: becoming more aware of your trust tendencies isn’t always comfortable. It might force you to confront some hard truths about yourself and the way you interact with others. But if you’re willing to do the work, the rewards are worth it. You’ll not only build stronger relationships but also gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

So, the next time you find yourself wondering, “Can I trust this person?” take a moment to reflect on both your instincts and your logic. Trust isn’t just about the other person; it’s about you, too. And the more you understand your own trust tendencies, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate the complexities of human connection.