Question

You are inclined to provide dental floss. After all, this inmate has never given you trouble, and in fact, you think that he might be helpful in the future when it comes to relations with troublesome inmates. Such a relationship would illustrate the concept of:

Answer 1

Full Question:

You are a rookie correctional officer at a state prison. The day is coming to an end and the inmates are in their cells. As you make your rounds to count heads, one of the inmates asks you if you'd bring him a piece of dental floss. He says he has an uncooked grain of rice from dinner stuck in his back teeth and it is very painful. He only needs a small piece, surely not enough to pose any problem. According to prison rules, dental floss may only be used in the shower area, under observation. It is apparent to you that the inmate is in discomfort, and you know this inmate to be well-behaved.

You are inclined to provide the dental floss. After all, this inmate has never given you trouble, and in fact you think that he might be helpful in the future when it comes to relations with troublesome inmates. Such a relationship would illustrate the concept of:

a.) officer accommodation

b.) "blind eye"

c.) informal give-and-take

d.) reciprocity

Answer:

The relationship would illustrate the concept of reciprocity.

Explanation:

Reciprocity is a social norm that rewards good positive intention with similar behavior. Socially it recognizes the ability of people to be friendly towards one another, to be nicer and cooperative. In hostile situations, people display nasty behavior where one might be nice and the other become brutal and unfriendly.  

Reciprocity encourages people to build long-lasting continuing relationships. Actions that are classified as reciprocal are those followed by an initial act of goodness and kindness. This is opposite to altruism which is doing something nice without responding to a similar act.