What category does Reciprocity Bias belong to?

Reciprocity Bias belongs to the "Concepts" category in personal knowledge management and productivity.

What are the key topics related to Reciprocity Bias?

Key topics related to Reciprocity Bias include: reciprocity, cognitive-biases, psychology, influence, decision-making.

Reciprocity Bias

Q: What are alternative names for Reciprocity Bias?

Reciprocity Bias is also known as: Reciprocation bias, Obligation bias, Return favor bias.

The cognitive tendency to feel obligated to return favors, even when disproportionate.

Also known as: Reciprocation bias, Obligation bias, Return favor bias

Category: Concepts

Tags: reciprocity, cognitive-biases, psychology, influence, decision-making

Explanation

Reciprocity bias is the cognitive tendency to feel compelled to return favors, gifts, or concessions, often in disproportionate measure. While reciprocity itself is a healthy social norm, the bias can lead to poor decisions when the return exceeds what's appropriate. Examples include: feeling obligated to buy after receiving a 'free' sample, agreeing to large requests after small favors, and maintaining relationships out of obligation rather than genuine connection. The bias operates unconsciously and powerfully - small gifts can create large obligations. Marketers and negotiators deliberately exploit this through: free trials, unexpected gifts, and the 'door-in-the-face' technique (large request followed by smaller 'concession'). Protecting against unhealthy reciprocity bias involves: recognizing manipulation tactics, giving yourself permission to decline, separating gifts from obligations, and responding proportionally. For knowledge workers, awareness means: not overcommitting due to small favors, recognizing when reciprocity is being weaponized, and building genuine rather than transactional relationships.

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