 | Nice article. I think what you're touching on is the "norm of reciprocity" that defines human relationships; to put it bluntly, what it amounts is to "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". If your willing to give someone love, emotional support, commitment, and so forth, you hope (even expect) those things in return. And if that person is unable or unwilling to return those things, but you keep on giving, then it allows that person to "cheat" by violating the norm of reciprocity. Why scratch your back, when you'll scratch mine anyways? |