Reciprocity In All Its Forms Essay -- Essays Papers

Reciprocity In All Its Forms Reciprocity is symbolic of creating, maintaining, or strengthening social relationships as well as satisfying the material needs and wants of someone in need. It refers to the exchange of objects without the use of money or other media of exchange. It can take the form of sharing, hospitality, gifts, or bartering. Anthropologists identify three forms of reciprocity. One form is generalized reciprocity, which is the giving of goods without expectation of a return of equal value at any definite future time. Generalized reciprocity occurs mainly between individuals who are emotionally attached to one another and have a responsibility to help one another on the basis of need. In the United States, parents who provide their children with shelter, food, vehicles, college educations, and interest-free loans are practicing generalized reciprocity. Giving without the expectation of a quick and equivalent return should also occur between certain other kinds of social relations, such as wives and husbands, siblings, and sometimes close friends. Among certain groups of people more goods are exchanged using this form than any other. For example, most members of small hunting and gathering groups are expected to share food and be generous with their possessions. Generalized reciprocity happens in all human populations and is the dominant mode of exchange in v ery small groups in which all or most members are relatives. Another form is balanced reciprocity, in which the products exchanged are expected to have roughly equal value. Moreover, another characteristic is that there is no bargaining between the parties. The return may be expected immediately, or whenever the giver demands it, or by some specified... ... reciprocity into another can be used as a way of changing the nature of a social relationship. Because the form of reciprocity practiced between two individuals is related to the degree of social distance between them, the social distance can be decreased or increased by one party initiating a new form of exchange. For example, someone can draw another person closer by tentatively initiating a relationship of balanced reciprocity. In conclusion, forms of reciprocity tend to be associated with types of social relations, so the reciprocity practiced between people changes as their relationship changes. People can use reciprocity to achieve social goals. For example, people can send positive or negative messages by either reciprocating or refusing to reciprocate gifts or invitations. Lastly, reciprocity can be used as a way of shortening or lengthening social distance.