Project information
Social Identity and Trust Formation: An Experimental Analysis of Intra-Caste and Inter-Religious Dynamics in India

Trust dynamics operate at the intersection of social psychology (identity and self-categorization) and economic transactions/outcomes in society. This research explores how social identity and self-categorization influence trust between intra-group (Hindu Upper Caste vs. Hindu Lower Caste) and inter-group (Hindu vs. Muslim) dynamics. It addresses a theoretical and empirical gap in interactions among these three socio-religious groups, which comprise majority of India's population and engage in multi-stage economic transactions and contract formation. The study propose a between subject incentivized strategic investment game between these groups. This study fills critical empirical research gap by eliciting the dynamics between intra-group and inter-group in India. Furthermore, the inclusion of 3 groups allows for comparative testing for theories on social uncertainty, positive identity, accentuation affect, flexibility of self-categorization, etc.