PARANOID THINKING AS A MECHANISM OF TRUST DISTORTION

Abstract

The article examines the paranoid style of thinking as one of the factors contributing to the destruction of systemic trust in contemporary society. The relevance of the topic is determined by the fact that, under conditions of uncertainty, social tension, information overload, and crisis, there is a growing tendency to explain events through hidden intent, conspiracy, and manipulation. This changes not only individual judgments but also the very mode of interpreting social reality, as a result of which suspicion begins to displace trust as the foundation of social interaction. The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical substantiation of how the paranoid style of thinking undermines systemic trust in its personal, interpersonal, institutional, and epistemic dimensions, as well as to identify the conditions for its formation and restoration Scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive understanding of the paranoid style of thinking not as an isolated psychological anomaly, but as a stable cognitive and interpretative disposition that distorts the very architecture of trust. The paper demonstrates that the destructive influence of paranoid logic is manifested through the substitution of critical thinking with total suspiciousness, the undermining of self-trust, the destruction of the presumption of benevolence in interpersonal relations, the decline of institutional legitimacy, and the loss of trust in the procedures for validating knowledge. Conclusions. It has been proved that the effective strengthening of trust cannot be achieved solely through informing or refuting false beliefs. It requires the creation of predictable, fair, explainable, and morally responsible institutional practices, as well as the provision of participation, feedback, and the experience of being heard. It is under such conditions that criticality does not turn into paranoid distrust, and trust once again becomes rationally possible, emotionally supported, and socially productive in the public sphere