Which principle dictates that one should reciprocate help when receiving a favor?

The choice that indicates one should reciprocate help when receiving a favor is the reciprocity principle. This principle is rooted in social psychology and emphasizes the mutual exchange of benefits between individuals. When someone does something kind or helpful for us, the reciprocity principle suggests that we feel a social obligation to return that favor in the future. This principle is essential for building and maintaining relationships within societies, as it encourages cooperative behavior and social bonds.

Other principles, while related to social interactions, focus on different aspects. The social responsibility principle involves the expectation that individuals should help those who are dependent on them, emphasizing an ethical obligation to assist others in need rather than the mutual exchange of favors. The empathy principle highlights the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, motivating altruistic behavior but not necessarily involving a sense of reciprocal obligation. The altruistic principle pertains to selfless acts for the benefit of others without expecting anything in return, which contrasts with the idea of reciprocation inherent in the reciprocity principle.