WASHINGTON — Can you trust your fellow man?

About two-thirds of Americans who answered an AP-Gfk poll say no. In 1972, it was only one-half.

The poll conducted in November says Americans are suspicious of each other in everyday encounters, such as clerks who swipe their credit cards, other drivers on the road or people they meet when traveling.

PurdueUniversity political scientist and public opinion researcher April Clark says so much distrust is not a good thing. Clark says distrust seems to encourage corruption, and she says even the rancor and gridlock in politics might stem from the effects of an increasingly distrustful America.

Some studies suggest it’s too late for most Americans alive today to become more trusting. That research says the basis for a person’s lifetime trust level is set by his or her mid-twenties and unlikely to change, other than in some unifying event such as a world war.

Related Stories
‹
Talk of Race, Sex in Schools Divides Americans: AP-NORC Poll
Written by HANNAH FINGERHUT Americans are deeply divided over how much children in K-12 schools should be taught about racism and sexuality, according to a new poll released as Republicans across the country aim to make parental involvement in education a central campaign theme this election year. Overall, Americans lean slightly toward expanding — not […]
AP-NORC Poll: Trump Not Boosted by Strong American Economy
The solid economy is doing little to bolster support for President Donald Trump. Americans give Trump mixed reviews for his economic stewardship despite the growth achieved during this presidency, according to a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Nearly two-thirds describe as “good” an economy that appears to have set […]
New Poll Shows Widening Gap in Race for NC Governor
Roy Cooper’s lead over Pat McCrory is growing according to a new poll from Monmouth University. Cooper, the current Democratic Attorney General of North Carolina receives 52 percent in the poll to Republican incumbent governor McCrory’s 43 percent.  Libertarian Lon Cecil gets 3 percent and 3 percent are undecided. The race for North Carolina governor […]
Poll: Nation On The Wrong Track
North Carolina voters aren’t happy with the direction the nation is headed.
AP-GfK Poll: Low Approval Of Congress, Obama
Nearly two-thirds say they would like to see their House member replaced.
Early Poll Shows Paul, Clinton Favorites For 2016
In a very early poll for the 2016 Presidential Election, Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling shows former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul as favorites for the ticket.
PPP Polls on John Edwards, New York Times, More
If you’ve ever wondered what your fellow North Carolinians think about John Edwards, the New York Times and judicial oversight, Public Policy Polling has you covered.
›