Reciprocity and the belief in a just world

Reciprocity is an important social norm that regulates interpersonal interactions. This study investigated whether the belief in a just world moderates the responses to a reciprocal obligation. A confederate gave (or did not give) a gift to participants and later solicited the participants to purchase raffle tickets. Participants who were stronger in the belief in a just world purchased more tickets than participants who were weaker in the belief in a just world in the reciprocal gift condition. No difference was found in the no gift condition. Limitations and future directions are discussed.