PSYC2013 Lecture 2: Social Influence Lecture 2 - Reciprocation
Document Summary
We became obliged to return a gift or favour (even if it is not wanted) Creates a sense of debt or guilt in us. Overwhelming number of people responded (117/158 sent a card back) There is an urge to reciprocate, even if we don"t know the person. All human societies subscribe to the rule. Adaptive mechanism: we are human because our ancestors learned to share their food and their skills in an honoured network of obligations . Our sense of obligation has a future orientation. We may not have the favor returned right away, but it will happen at some point in the future. We will perform a favour even if we know we won"t receive the reciprocation immediately. Ex: ethiopia sent to mexico city to help with earthquake. Ethiopia is a third world country so it doesn"t make sense but it was a return of favor for mexico city helping ethiopia in the past during the.