Why do people distrust government agencies, even when they provide vital info (e.g., health, environment)? Can low-cost interventions restore trust & promote welfare-enhancing behaviors? Our study provides novel experimental evidence on these key questions (1/5) 👇 #EconSky - ThreadSky

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gubri.bsky.social • 56 days ago

Why do people distrust government agencies, even when they provide vital info (e.g., health, environment)? Can low-cost interventions restore trust & promote welfare-enhancing behaviors? Our study provides novel experimental evidence on these key questions (1/5) 👇 #EconSky

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gubri.bsky.social•56 days ago

We ran two experiments, 4 years apart (2020 & 2024), to test if reducing search costs for institution-sourced info improves trust & compliance. Results: Yes! Accessing evidence-based advice boosts trust and willingness to follow Gov recommended pro-social behaviors. (2/5)

gubri.bsky.social•56 days ago

In one study, linking participants to CDC data during COVID increased factual knowledge, trust, & compliance (e.g., swabs). Four months later, trust gains persisted and reflected a conscious shift in beliefs about the agency’s integrity. (3/5)

gubri.bsky.social•56 days ago

In our second study, access to EPA air quality info during the 2024 election increased trust & support for the agency. But: trust gains relied on info relevance. Simply exposing people to the EPA (e.g., via office locations) didn’t yield similar results. (4/5)

gubri.bsky.social•56 days ago

Key takeaway: Citizens often judge institutions via ideological shortcuts, not facts. Access to evidence-based gov info boosts trust & leads citizens to follow gov recommendations. Scalable interventions like ours show how govs can rebuild public trust (5/5)

gubri.bsky.social•56 days ago

Link to paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uZ9O87r2TpKLbG6k2qpMtmOnQ2bTRSIx/view

gubri.bsky.social•56 days ago

If you're at #ASSA2025 come see us present this paper at this great session: https://www.aeaweb.org/conference/2025/program/1462?q=eNo1jLEKwkAQRP9l6xRa2KS0trSX5RzMgucdO6sSwv27F2K694bhLUKQVl7XuULGZVcZ5ShtkKSBR_G5uwyiZEkbBjx3OrsxgegLoZ6mi2ULriV9x1T89lTGXrvrPxSWsdHH8F3fXmsfTgdp7Qcl0y73

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