An Exploration of Exchange in Three Social Relationships: Kinship, Friendship and the Marketplace

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Abstract
Exchange norms are analysed within the context of three social relationships: the marketplace, friendship, and kinship. Exchange is treated as a complex, decision-making process that often involves the creation of trust and willingness to accept asymmetries in transactions. When constructing an exchange each partner bases his or her behaviour on: (1) social relationships; (2) norms; (3) the type of comparison - intrapersonal or interpersonal; (4) an estimate of the partner's trustworthiness; and (5) the number of parties in the exchange network. A sample of people who built their own homes with the help of kin and friends is examined from this exchange perspective. The data suggest that people employ four beliefs and norms to accept exchange imbalance: kinship and friendship licence, the assumption of eventual balance, the need norm, and the norm of noninstrumental concern. These norms and beliefs appear to allay fears of exploitation.

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