Economic and social exchanges differ sharply in time horizon and expected reciprocity

Evidence

For any non-kin cooperation, there must be a correlation such that cooperators receive more cooperation in return. In reciprocal altruism, this relationship is supplied by discrimination such that we only give to those who give to us (direct reciprocity) or to others (indirect reciprocity). It is these types of matching relationships on which Baumard et al. focus, but competitive altruism goes beyond reciprocity. In contrast, giving in competitive altruism can be unconditional. — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 530 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Sometimes, as in these cases, reciprocity is specific: I’ll do this for you if you do that for me. Even more valuable, however, is a norm of generalized reciprocity: I’ll do this for you without expecting anything specific back from you, in the confident expectation that someone else will do something for me down the road. The Golden Rule is one formulation of generalized reciprocity. — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 42 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Market making enforces a reciprocity norm that sustains the market itself — Karin Knorr Cetina & Urs Bruegger, Global Microstructures: The Virtual…, 87; Competitive altruism permits unconditional giving rather than matched reciprocity — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality: The…, 530; Small communities enforce generalized reciprocity rather than one-on-one exchange — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 821 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Competitive altruism permits unconditional giving rather than matched reciprocity #complicates (0.75) — Nicolas Baumard, A mutualistic approach to morality, 530
• Generalized reciprocity is more valuable than specific reciprocity #complicates (0.74) — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 42