Reciprocity in a Gift-Giving Situation

Abstract

Abstract Reciprocity in a flower-giving situation was investigated. Norwegian business students (N = 251) were randomly assigned to 12 flower-giving situations that varied by descriptive congruence of the sex of the giver relative to the receiver, affective value attached to the gift, and occasion for gift-giving. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results controlled for the closeness of relationship between the giver and receiver suggest that reciprocity through flowers and reciprocity through other gifts as a continuation of earlier flower-giving are more likely when men are reciprocating rather than women and when the flowers are given as a thank-you.