Trust Beliefs (Mayer & Davis ABI)
HR & WorkReliability: Ability alpha 0.85; Benevolence alpha 0.87; Integrity alpha 0.823 sample items
About this scale
A 17-item measure of trustworthiness perceptions across the ABI dimensions: ability, benevolence, and integrity. Foundational in the Mayer, Davis & Schoorman (1995) trust framework.
Sample item(s)
“Top management is very capable of performing its job. (ability)”
“Top management is very concerned about my welfare. (benevolence)”
“Top management has a strong sense of justice. (integrity)”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: Ability alpha 0.85; Benevolence alpha 0.87; Integrity alpha 0.82. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
Anchored in Mayer, Davis & Schoorman (1995) integrative model of trust.
Source & citation
Mayer, R. C., & Davis, J. H. (1999): The effect of the performance appraisal system on trust for management: A field quasi-experiment. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 84, No. 1, pp. 123–136.
Mayer & Davis (1999): Trustworthiness ABI. JAP, 84(1), 123–136.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
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