What norm states that people who help others should receive equivalent benefits in return?

The social reciprocity norm is the principle that suggests individuals who offer help or support to others should expect similar assistance in return. This norm is rooted in the idea that social interactions and relationships are built on mutual exchange, where acts of kindness and assistance create a cycle of support and obligation. When one person helps another, it establishes an expectation that the recipient will reciprocate in kind, fostering cooperation and social bonds within a community.

This norm plays a crucial role in maintaining social balance and encouraging prosocial behavior. Individuals are motivated to help others not only out of altruism but also because they anticipate receiving help when they are in need. This reciprocal expectation allows social networks to thrive, as people feel more inclined to offer assistance when they know that their contributions will be recognized and returned in the future.

In this context, the social responsibility norm, equality norm, and equity norm differ from the social reciprocity norm. While the social responsibility norm emphasizes the expectation to help those in need without a direct expectation of return, the equality norm promotes equal outcomes for all individuals regardless of their contributions. The equity norm relates more to fairness in the distribution of resources based on individual contributions rather than a direct give-and-take relationship highlighted by the social reciprocity norm.