Reciprocity dates back to the time of Hammurabi (c. 1792–1750 BC). The Code of Hammurabi is a collection of 282 laws and rules, which require individual action in terms of the public interest. Hobhouse referred to reciprocity as the “vital principle of society,” and Becker referred to our species as “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 driving forces of this social exchange? Gratitude, reputation and dissonance are the driving mechanisms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. Rand states that prosocial behaviors are important to maintaining a prosocial society. This increases the possibility of receiving help from others. Recent studies have focused on prosocial emotions, and the experience of gratitude is recognized as the driving force of generalized reciprocity. I got GR in a Starbucks drive-through line and also reciprocated. This trade can be risky. The risk of potential exploitation looms large and questions about the donor's motivations may emerge. However, many scholars have recognized that risk is necessary to demonstrate trustworthiness and create effective bonds. 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 a commitment to the common good" . In comparison, Desento's work shows that gratitude has a stronger role and a longer lasting effect than any other mechanism. Reputation must also be considered. How you see yourself is influential in making a GR decision. Most people like to maintain a prosocial reputation, as stated above. However, it may seem like you are “paying it forward,” but the motivation behind it is very different. One person may be more likely to help another if they know people are watching. A great example of this is an employee who agrees to stay late to help a coworker meet a deadline when the boss is around. Simpson and Willer noted that reputational consequences make the behavior of egoists and altruists virtually identical. Equally considered, a person who does not pay to others is perhaps viewed negatively. Finally, the theory of cognitive dissonance 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.” You can receive reciprocity and not pay for it until a relationship is formed, 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 fueled first and foremost by gratitude. Additionally, the need to maintain a prosocial reputation and resolve dissonance in a relationship. Work cited Hobhouse, LT and Morris Ginsberg. “Morality in evolution. A study in comparative ethics". The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 48, no. 23, 1906, doi:10.2307/2021181. Becker, Howard. 1956. “Man in Reprocity.” New York: Praegar.Baker, Wayne and Jane E. Dutton. “Enabling positive social capital in organizations”. Exploring positive relationships at work, 2017, pp. 325–346.,:10.4324/9780203700976-1.