---
title: "Reciprocity Norm — AP Psychology Definition & Examples"
description: "The reciprocity norm is the social rule that we return help to those who help us. Learn how it explains prosocial behavior in AP Psych Topics 9.4-9.7."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/reciprocity-norm"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Reciprocity Norm — AP Psychology Definition & Examples

## Definition

The reciprocity norm is a social expectation that we should return help to those who have helped us.

## Related Study Guides

- [9.4 Group Influences on Behavior and Mental Processes](/ap-psych-revised/unit-9/group-influences-on-behavior-mental-processes/study-guide/1H7S3G7JFu0zrIORs4z6)
- [9.6 Altruism and Aggression](/ap-psych-revised/unit-9/altruism-aggression/study-guide/1IlPiXcGjmrFyRBRLrnS)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Social Norms](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/social-norms): These are unwritten rules about how members of a society or group are expected to behave.
- [Altruism](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/altruism): Altruism refers to selfless acts done for the benefit of others without expecting anything in return.
- [Prosocial Behavior](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/prosocial-behavior): This term refers to any behavior that benefits other people or society as a whole.