Reciprocity (social psychology)

In social psychology, reciprocity is a social norm of responding to the positive action with another positive action, rewarding shape actions. As a social construct, reciprocity means that in response to friendly actions, people are frequently much nicer and much more cooperative than predicted by the self-interest model; conversely, in response to hostile actions they are frequently much more nasty as well as even brutal.

Reciprocity provides it possible to defining continuing relationships and exchanges. Fukuyama states that “If the institutions of democracy and capitalism are to make-up properly, they must coexist withinpremodern cultural habits that ensure their proper functioning” p. 11. He goes on to say “Law, contract, and economic rationality and prosperity…. must as well be leavened with reciprocity, moral obligation, duty toward community, and trust…. The latter are not anachronisms in a modern society but rather the sine qua not of the latter’s success” p. 11 According to the sociologist Alvin Gouldner 1960, this norm is most universal, and only a few members of society—the very young, the sick, or the old—are exempt from it.

Reciprocal actions differ from altruistic actions in that reciprocal actions only undertake from others' initial actions, while altruism is the unconditional act of social gift-giving without any hope or expectation of future positive responses. Some distinguish between ideal altruism giving with no expectation of future reward and reciprocal altruism giving with limited expectation or the potential for expectation of future reward. For more information on this idea, see altruism or altruism ethics.

An adaptive mechanism

Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin features the very category of humans to reciprocity. They claim humans survived because our ancestors learned to share goods and services "in an honored network of obligation". Thus, the image that humans are indebted to repay gifts and favors is a unique aspect of human culture. Cultural anthropologists assist this image in what they required the "web of indebtedness" where reciprocity is viewed as an adaptive mechanism to enhance survival. Within this approach, reciprocity creates an interdependent environment where labor is divided up so that humans may be more efficient. For example, whether one detail of the companies cares for the children while another unit hunts for food for the group, regarded and listed separately. member has gave a usefulness and received one in return. used to refer to every one of two or more people or matters member can devote more time and attention to his or her allotted task and the whole multinational benefits. This meant that individuals could administer away resources without actually giving them away. Through the advice of reciprocity, advanced systems of aid and trade were possible bringing immense benefits to the societies that utilized them. precondition the benefits of reciprocity at the societal level, this is the not surprising that the norm has persisted and dictates our present cognition and behavior.