Trust Walk Activity

NOTE: You will need to bring a blindfold to class for this exercise.

Purpose:
This assignment is designed to let you feel what it feels like to be trusted, as well as what it feels
like to have trust in someone else.

This assignment is associated with the following Student Learning Outcomes:

 analyze the role of the individual as both a sender and receiver in the communication
process.
o analyze the impact of perception in effective interpersonal communication.
o demonstrate and evaluate the use and effect of verbal and nonverbal symbols in
interpersonal communication.
 differentiate the various factors involved in communication that enhance or restrict
communication effectiveness in relational systems.
o apply appropriate listening styles and assess the importance of effective listening
in producing satisfying interpersonal relationships.
o contrast factors that contribute to supportive and defensive communication
climates (e.g., honesty, empathy, provisionalism) and incorporate supportive
communication behaviors.
o evaluate the role of ethical standards on interpersonal communication and the
impact of various relational challenges

Procedure:
1. This exercise is done in pairs.
Select a classmate to be your partner for this exercise. It should not be someone you know
very well.
One person will act as a guide for his/her partner, who is blindfolded and cannot see.

2. The guide’s task is to lead the “blind” follower around the environment, and stimulate as many
of his/her senses as possible except sight (e.g. pressure, touch, heat, cold, wind, sun,
running, walking, etc.). This exercise can be done indoors or outdoors, preferably both.

3. After about 15 minutes, change roles so that the guide is now blindfolded and repeat (not
exactly) the exercise.

a. During the time you are being a guide, think about what you are doing or saying to
communicate to your “blind” follower that you can be trusted, and when you could tell
your partner trusted you.
b. During the time you are the “blind” follower, think about what your guide is doing or
saying to develop trust with you (or, what the guide is doing or saying said that is making
you feel less trusting of him/her).

Trust Walk Activity 1 Interpersonal Communication

Processing/Discussion Questions

We may do this in class, or you may have to write (type) up your answers to the following
questions. If the latter, you need to thoughtfully answer all parts of each question, using
examples, at least one paragraph in length.

1. How did it feel to be a guide? Did you enjoy the experience? Do you feel like you gained
(or lost) your partner’s trust? Why or why not?

2. How did it feel to be a blindfolded and led? Did you enjoy the experience? Why or why
not? What, specifically, did your partner do to gain (or lose) your trust?

3. While blindfolded, what sensations did you find particularly stimulating? Would you have
found them stimulating if your partner had led you around not blindfolded?

4. While blindfolded, what sensations did you find particularly disturbing? Would you have
found them disturbing if your partner had led you around not blindfolded?

5. What did you learn from this exercise in relation to trust? What reinforced what you
already knew? How can you transfer what you learned about trust from this exercise as a
guide and follower to interpersonal relationships?

Trust Walk Activity 2 Interpersonal Communication