trust (or distrust) is one of the most sophisticated of human behaviors. There is a strong instinctive basis, and we spend much of our formative years refining it. It makes human culture and cooperation possible.

A vast portion of our mental machinery is dedicated to the concept. Researchers have found that by framing a logic problem as a cheater detection people solved it much more quickly than framing the same problem in a more abstract manner.

trust is layered and relative. There are people I trust on line to varying degrees, due to experience and the risk involved. A $20 trinket purchased from a stranger on Ebay is an easy trust, buying an antique car online requires a great deal more caution.

But in the end, online trust is exactly like every other trust we develop.

1) based somewhat on experience

2) affected by degree of risk if the trust is violated

3) is dynamic and constantly subject to update.