Reciprocity dates back to the time of Hammurabi (c. 1792-1750 BC). Hammurabi's Code is a set of 282 laws and norms requiring the individual to act in the public interest. Hobhouse called reciprocity “a vital principle of society” and Becker called our species “homo reciprocus.” Generalized reciprocity (GR) is the act of giving to one person and receiving from another, but not from the same person. This is called “paying it forward.” What are the drivers of this social exchange? Gratitude, reputation and dissonance are these driving mechanisms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Rand says that prosocial behaviors are important to maintaining a prosocial society. This increases the chances of receiving help from others. Recent studies have focused on prosocial emotions and the experience of gratitude is recognized as the driver of generalized reciprocity. I received a GR in a Starbucks drive-thru line and also returned the favor. This exchange can be risky. The risk of potential exploitation looms and questions about the donor's motives may arise. However, many researchers have recognized that risk is necessary to prove its own reliability and support effective connections. As Adler and Kwon state, GR "...transforms individuals from selfish, self-centered agents with little or no sense of obligation to others, into members of a community with shared interests, a common identity, and commitment." towards the common good. » In comparison, Desento's work shows that gratitude has a stronger role and a more lasting effect than any other mechanism. Reputation must also be taken into account. How one sees oneself influences decision-making in RM matters. Most people like to maintain a prosocial reputation, as noted above. However, it may seem like “paying it forward,” but the motivation behind it is entirely different. A person may be more likely to help another if they know people are watching them. A good example of this is an employee who agrees to stay late to help a colleague meet a deadline when the boss is there. Simpson and Willer noted that reputational consequences make the behavior of egoists and altruists virtually identical. Likewise, a person who does not honor others may be perceived negatively. Finally, cognitive dissonance theory is worth mentioning. This is when individuals seek consistency between their cognitions. Leon Festinger proposed that people strive to achieve "internal psychological coherence to function mentally in the real world." One may receive reciprocity and not pay it forward, until a relationship forms, changing the person's perception and creating dissonance in the relationship. Individuals who find themselves in this state of cognitive dissonance will take steps to reduce their dissonance. Alexander concludes that generalized reciprocity is the basis of social solidarity. This important system of social exchange is above all fueled by gratitude. Added to this is the need to maintain a prosocial reputation and resolve dissonance in a relationship. Work cited by Hobhouse, LT and Morris Ginsberg. “Evolving morality. A study in comparative ethics. The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 48, no. 23, 1906, doi:10.2307/2021181. Becker, Howard. 1956. “Man in recoprocity.” New York: Praegar. Baker, Wayne and Jane E. Dutton. “Allow capital:10.4324/9780203700976-1.