Final answer:
The assertion that the type of reciprocity between individuals or groups is influenced by their social distance is true. Generalized reciprocity occurs in close relationships while balanced reciprocity and market exchange are found in more distant social relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kind of reciprocity that occurs between individuals or groups does indeed depend on the social distance between them. This statement is true.
Social distance refers to the closeness or farness of social relationships. In relationships that are close, such as those among family members or close friends, generalized reciprocity is common: favors and goods are exchanged with the implicit understanding that the receiver will reciprocate in the future. No immediate return is expected, and there is a high level of trust. Conversely, in relationships that are more distant, such as those with acquaintances or strangers, balanced reciprocity or market exchange is more typical. In balanced reciprocity, there is an expectation of the return of goods or services of equal value within a certain time frame, while market exchange is based on prices set by supply and demand.
The distinction between different types of reciprocities—generalized, balanced, and market exchange—highlights the importance of social distance in shaping the expectations and norms surrounding exchanges between people. This concept is not exclusive to hunter-gatherer societies but is also applicable to contemporary capitalist societies.