The Existence of Reciprocity in Friendship Relationship among Young Adults in Kuala Lumpur

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Existence of Reciprocity in Friendship Relationship among Young Adults in Kuala Lumpur

Princess Gadzikwa
Senior Teacher, Ministry of Education, Marondera District, P O Box 206 Marondera, Zimbabwe

Abstract:
Reciprocity has always been an unconscious drive to individuals, and this has been a norm among friendship relationships. In this study however we aimed at exploring the connection between reciprocity in friendship relationships, 200 questionnaires were randomly distributed to individuals in different areas in Kuala Lumpur, these included Sunway, Puchong, Cheras, Damansara and KLCC. A total of 100 females and 100 males participated in the study and their age groups ranged from 18 – 30 years. The respondents were selected randomly in public places. The results highlight that there is a very strong correlation between reciprocity and friendship relationships. Gender differences were also explored.
Key Word:  Reciprocity; Friendship; Relationships

I. Introduction

Background:  Reciprocity according to some social psychologists is viewed as when an individual respond to a positive act with a positive act which is more alike to recompensing an act of kindness. Taylor, Peplau, and Sears (2006) states that in most situations individuals will often feel obliged to give back both favors and offences (p.324). ln addition reciprocity is involved mostly on trading favors hence considered as a strong influential factor for human performance (Weems, n.d.). Friendship on the other end is the existence of individuals who share both extremes of likes and dislikes/attitudes, they occur also for pleasure, helpfulness and benefit. It can however exist between individuals of the same sex, opposite and it goes beyond age, cultures and personalities (Ravichandran, 1999). Friendship relations however are an essential element in the social development aspect of human life, and without it there is a deficiency in human growth (Ojanen, Sijtsema, Hawley & Little, 2010). Reciprocity in friendship relationships has submerged with years and also evidence has shown that even in the corporate world, marketers use this same tactic of reciprocity to lure customers and a primary source for manipulation (Giesler, 2006). Validating the purposes and motives of reciprocity in friendship relationships, which in turn leads to predicting friendships as a result of evaluation and expectations was the key aspect to this research.

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