The quality of being honest, reliable, and deserving of confidence. It encompasses integrity in actions, words, and intentions, forming the foundation of emotional safety in relationships.
From Old Norse 'traust' meaning 'confidence' or 'help,' combined with 'worthy' from Old English 'weorþ' meaning 'value.' The compound reflects how trust must be earned through demonstrated worth.
Neuroscience reveals that trustworthiness activates the brain's reward centers—we literally get a chemical high from being around trustworthy people. Betrayal, conversely, activates the same pain centers as physical injury.
Women's trustworthiness is historically questioned more frequently than men's in professional contexts. Credibility gaps persist in medicine, law, science, and business where women are asked to prove trustworthiness while men's competence is assumed.
Apply trustworthiness evaluation criteria consistently across genders. Avoid defaulting to skepticism of women's claims or requiring additional 'proof' from women compared to men.
Women leaders, scientists, and professionals have built institutional trustworthiness through documented achievement despite systemic credibility barriers.
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