Filsinger, MaximilianMaximilianFilsinger0000-0002-6583-8301Freitag, MarkusMarkusFreitag0000-0003-2428-0652Erhardt, Julian JonasJulian JonasErhardt0000-0002-4705-8889Wamsler, SteffenSteffenWamsler0000-0003-1768-32262024-09-022024-09-022021-08-09https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/43916In this paper, we claim that information about social cohesion during a crisis influences social trust. We maintain that it is key to distinguish between positive and negative information about social cohesion during the crisis as well as between different forms of social trust, namely particularized trust, identity-based trust, and trust in strangers. Using a real-world survey experiment, we show that positive information on social cohesion has the potential to promote identity-based trust in times of crisis, thus triggering a rallyaround- the-fellows effect. This seems to be prevalent for respondents with a lower socio-economic status. Consequently, receiving positive news about social cohesion may trigger identity-based trust in social strata where it is less likely to occur. However, among people ranking lower on the social ladder, negative information undermines their already fragile trust in strangers. Our results have important implications by showing how different information about the impact of a crisis affects the glue that holds society together.en300 - Social sciences, sociology & anthropology::320 - Political sciencearticle10.48350/15974810.1080/03623319.2021.1954463