Trust in institutions has declined over time, but claims of a decline in interpersonal trust are exaggerated. Richard Ibach's research suggests that people believe the world has become more dangerous, particularly parents who associate this change with the birth of their first child. This implies that their perception of the world shifted due to the need to protect their child, making them more aware of potential dangers.
A lot of people are plagued by the feeling that society used to be better, that neighbors were more helpful, that strangers once talked to you. Some people channel that belief into political action, as in the Make America Great Again movement. A new study explains why the sense that people and the culture have gotten worse is a psychological illusion. This special episode features Hanna Rosin, the host of Radio Atlantic. Subscribe and find new episodes of Radio Atlantic every Thursday.
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