title: Egocentric reciprocity and the role of friendship and anger.
abstract: In this research, we examine the phenomenon of egocentric reciprocity, where individuals protect self-interest by adopting an eye-for-an-eye strategy in negatively imbalanced exchanges, and by taking advantage of overly generous treatment in positively imbalanced exchanges. We conducted two experiments using a modified ultimatum game examining attitudinal and behavioral responses to imbalanced exchanges. The experiments allowed us to explore the moderating role of relational closeness (i.e., whether the game partner was a friend or a stranger) and the mediating role of anger and indebtedness in these moderated relationships. Our results consistently demonstrate the phenomenon of egocentric reciprocity. Most importantly, this research reveals that friendship places a boundary on this egocentric tendency, and that the effects may partially be explained by anger experienced in response to exchange.
authors.affiliation: a University of Washington , Seattle.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: b University of Washington , Tacoma.
authors.forename: Marion B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Eberly
authors.affiliation: c University of Alabama.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bachrach
authors.affiliation: d Central Washington University.
authors.forename: Keke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: e Tsinghua University.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Egocentric reciprocity; exchange imbalance; friendship; ultimatum experiments