Reciprocity is the social expectation that contribution, cooperation and care will be met over time by corresponding willingness from others to contribute, cooperate and care in return.
It is not simply an immediate exchange of favours. Healthy reciprocity develops through repeated interaction in which people experience reasonable fairness, mutual obligation and confidence that contribution will not be continually exploited or withheld. This helps transform individual acts of cooperation into durable relationships and social capital.
Reciprocity can create reinforcing dynamics. Contribution encourages trust; trust makes cooperation easier; successful cooperation creates further willingness to contribute. The reverse can also occur. Visible withholding, exploitation or repeated failure to reciprocate can rapidly weaken trust and encourage others to conserve their own effort and contribution.
Reciprocity therefore plays an important role in Social Cohesion and regenerative social systems. People are more willing to invest in a shared future when they believe others will also carry their share of creating it.