Final answer:
When trust is absent, people may engage in non-cooperative behavior, deception, and prioritize self-interest. This can lead to crime in poverty-stricken areas or manipulation and aggression in politically charged environments. Suspicion of strangers contributes to mistrust and can result in social stress and destructive behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
When people do not trust each other, they are more likely to engage in non-cooperative behavior, use deception, and commit themselves to self-interest. Lack of trust can lead to a climate where individuals feel compelled to prioritize their own needs and safety over collaborative efforts or the collective good. In such a scenario, similar to the prisoner's dilemma, individuals act based on the assumption that others are not trustworthy and therefore are less likely to cooperate, which can exacerbate social and interpersonal conflicts.
In contexts of scarcity or poverty, the desperation to meet basic needs can push people towards criminal activities. Trust issues can amplify this problem, as without mutual trust, illegal means might appear to be the only viable option. In addition, in the political arena, misinformation and marketing techniques often fuel distrust among different subcultures within society, leading to division and conflict.
Furthemore, human tendency to be suspicious of strangers, significantly inflates the sense of mistrust in diverse communities. This can manifest in behaviors that are destructive to the social fabric, such as witchcraft or sorcery historically, or more contemporary forms of social manipulation and aggression. Finally, in large scales like societies or nations, when the group is too large to notice individual efforts, people may also engage in free-riding, contributing to the breakdown of trust and cooperation.