Background: In today’s complex and high-pressure world, human relationships are increasingly challenged by distrust, intense competition, and declining social capital. Identifying the psychological factors influencing trust and trustworthiness has become critically important. Among such factors, personal values—particularly openness to change—and personality traits are key variables that significantly shape social behavior. This study is grounded in Schwartz’s theory of basic human values and the Five-Factor Model of personality by McCrae and Costa.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mental activation of openness-to-change values on levels of trust and trustworthiness, taking into account the moderating role of personality traits.
Method: A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test and control group was employed. The statistical population consisted of students at the Persian Gulf University during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 60 students was selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data collection tools included the Schwartz Value Survey, the short form of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and a behavioral trust game to measure actual trust and trustworthiness. The intervention for the experimental group involved cognitive activation of openness-to-change values through value-framing techniques and mental exercises.
Results: The findings revealed that activating openness-to-change values significantly reduced levels of trust but had no significant effect on trustworthiness. In addition, personality traits moderated these effects: extraversion and agreeableness amplified the intervention’s impact, while neuroticism weakened it. Conscientiousness and openness to experience did not show significant moderating effects.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the interaction between activated values and personality traits can influence social behaviors such as trust and tr