Trust, Faith, and Commitment: A Reasoned Action Approach

Abstract

Trust and faith have been described as similar constructs, although trust is secular and faith is religious in its basic nature.  This paper compares secular trust and religious faith in context with cognitive beliefs, affective feelings, conative intentions, and actual behaviors – consistent with the theoretical framework provided by the Theory of Reasoned Action.  It also identifies ten similarities between trust and faith in context with the committed actions and behaviors of the individuals who exercise that trust or faith.  Finally, the paper suggests that understanding the nature of either trust or faith increases one’s understanding of the other construct as well.