Norm of reciprocity in the context of "Reciprocity (social and political philosophy)"

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⭐ Core Definition: Norm of reciprocity

The norm of reciprocity requires that people repay in kind what others have done for them. It can be understood as the expectation that people will respond to each other by returning benefits for benefits, and with either indifference or hostility to harms. The social norm of reciprocity may take different forms in different areas of social life, or in different societies. This is distinct from related ideas such as gratitude, the Golden Rule, or mutual goodwill. See reciprocity (social and political philosophy) for an analysis of the concepts involved.

The norm of reciprocity mirrors the concept of reciprocal altruism in evolutionary biology. However, evolutionary theory and therefore sociobiology was not well-received by mainstream psychologists. This led to reciprocal altruism being studied instead under a new social-psychological concept: the norm of reciprocity. Reciprocal altruism has been applied to various species, including humans, while mainstream psychologists use the norm of reciprocity only to explain humans.

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👉 Norm of reciprocity in the context of Reciprocity (social and political philosophy)

The social norm of reciprocity is the expectation that people will respond to each other in similar ways—responding to gifts and kindnesses from others with similar benevolence of their own, and responding to harmful, hurtful acts from others with either indifference or some form of retaliation. Such norms can be crude and mechanical, such as a literal reading of the eye-for-an-eye rule lex talionis, or they can be complex and sophisticated, such as a subtle understanding of how anonymous donations to an international organization can be a form of reciprocity for the receipt of very personal benefits, such as the love of a parent.

The norm of reciprocity varies widely in its details from situation to situation, and from society to society. Anthropologists and sociologists have often claimed, however, that having some version of the norm appears to be a social inevitability. Reciprocity figures prominently in social exchange theory, evolutionary psychology, social psychology, cultural anthropology and rational choice theory.

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Norm of reciprocity in the context of Izzat (honour)

Izzat (Hindi: इज़्ज़त; Urdu: عزت; Bengali: ইজ্জত) is a concept of honour that is prevalent in North India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It applies universally across religions, communities, and genders. Broadly speaking, izzat primarily refers to the reputation of oneself and one's family in the eyes of society. Maintaining this societal reputation by all necessary means is considered obligatory upon every man and woman, as is revenge or punishment upon those who have or are perceived as having directly or indirectly violated it.

The concept of izzat has been viewed as curtailing the freedom and rights of women, yet characterised on a general level as a concept that cuts across social hierarchy and enforces "equality in giving, but also equality in vengeance." The idea of reciprocity, in both friendship and enmity, is deeply embedded in izzat. It is required, for example, that a person goes to any lengths to come to the assistance of those who had previously helped them in their time of need, and to fail to do so is to dishonour one's debt and thereby lose izzat.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Izzat (honour) ← Reciprocity (social and political philosophy)
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Social norm → Gratitude → Golden Rule → Reciprocity (social and political philosophy) → Reciprocal altruism → Evolutionary biology → Evolutionary theory → Sociobiology →