We discuss the concept of reciprocity norms and their impact on social behaviour. The first text examines the role of reciprocity in functionalist theory, arguing that functionalism implicitly relies on reciprocity and that its rejection of the concept of “survivvals” obscures the significance of unequal exchanges. The second text discusses the influence of reciprocity norms on information-sharing in online consumption communities, finding that the reciprocity norm is strengthened by factors like member support, enjoyment, and community informativeness, and is moderated by individual characteristics like self-efficacy. The final text presents a theoretical model of the emergence of cooperative social norms in a society of rational agents, which is based on the idea that individuals uphold cooperative norms to maintain reputations for trustworthiness, which are essential for engaging in mutually beneficial transactions. This model is supported by empirical evidence from an international micro-data set on family behaviour.

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