Reciprocity

Definition

Reciprocity is the principle of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. It involves a mutual exchange of actions or benefits between two or more parties, where each party both gives and receives in return.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reciprocity is a fundamental principle in social psychology that influences attitudes, persuasion, and prosocial behavior.
2. The norm of reciprocity is a social expectation that people should help those who have helped them and not harm those who have helped them.
3. Reciprocal altruism is a form of reciprocity where individuals engage in altruistic acts with the expectation of future reciprocation.
4. Reciprocity plays a key role in the formation and maintenance of social relationships, as it promotes trust, cooperation, and a sense of obligation between individuals.
5. Violations of the norm of reciprocity can lead to negative emotions, such as anger and resentment, and can damage social relationships.

Review Questions

• Explain how the principle of reciprocity influences attitudes and persuasion.
  • The principle of reciprocity states that people feel obligated to return a favor or respond positively to someone who has done something for them. In the context of attitudes and persuasion, this means that if someone does a favor for you or gives you a gift, you are more likely to have a positive attitude towards them and be persuaded by their requests or arguments. This is because you feel a sense of obligation to reciprocate the positive action, which can lead to changes in your attitudes and increased willingness to be persuaded.
• Describe how the norm of reciprocity influences prosocial behavior.
  • The norm of reciprocity, which suggests that people should help those who have helped them and not harm those who have helped them, is a key driver of prosocial behavior. When individuals receive help or support from others, they feel a sense of obligation to reciprocate, which can motivate them to engage in prosocial actions, such as volunteering, donating, or helping others in need. This reciprocal exchange of benefits fosters a sense of social cohesion and promotes the maintenance of positive social relationships, which are essential for the development and sustenance of prosocial behavior within a community.
• Analyze how violations of the norm of reciprocity can impact social relationships and behavior.
  • Violations of the norm of reciprocity, where an individual fails to return a favor or respond positively to someone who has done something for them, can have significant negative consequences for social relationships and behavior. When the norm of reciprocity is violated, it can lead to feelings of anger, resentment, and a breakdown of trust between the individuals involved. This can damage the social relationship and make it more difficult to maintain cooperation and positive interactions in the future. Additionally, violations of the norm of reciprocity can discourage prosocial behavior, as individuals may become less willing to help or support others if they feel their efforts will not be reciprocated. This can have broader implications for the overall social fabric and cohesion within a community.

Related terms

Social Exchange Theory:

A theory that explains social behavior as an exchange of rewards and punishments, where people engage in interactions to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs.

Norm of Reciprocity: An unwritten social rule that suggests people should help those who have helped them, and not harm those who have helped them.

Reciprocal Altruism: A behavior where an individual performs an altruistic act with the expectation that the recipient will return the favor in the future.