Authority can be asserted by such things as titles or clothing. People with titles or wearing uniforms are much more likely to receive greater preference or respect. This is normally a reasonable response. It takes a great deal of time and effort to earn the title of doctor or to become the head of the Central Intelligence Agency so it is likely that such people are wise in many areas, and could be a helpful ally. Society recognizes that people in uniforms, such as policeman, have been specially trained to take charge in emergencies to ensure everyone's safety. They are also connected to other peace officers by radios and are likely to have the most accurate or updated information. Further, we have intentionally given them the power to enforce the laws. All these reasons make it in society's best interest to comply with their orders. Authority becomes a weapon of influence when a deceiver wields it to pressure someone to do something they would not do otherwise. World War II prison guards who were normal, peaceful, good men before the war complied with abhorrent requests to treat prisoners of war in especially vicious manners, and the Nazi uniform was designed specifically to be intimidating to increase the chance of …show more content…
This rule is so strongly ingrained in society that the rule is almost not worth discussing. It is something everyone inherently understands. Whether the item is a gift or favor, a bias is developed toward those who give the item, and an internal debt is created. The receiver does not feel 'even' with the giver or on similar footing until the debt is paid. This behavioral rule ensures a societal balance. An example would be friends taking turns buying lunch or one friend sending a birthday card and the other returning the courtesy. Reciprocity becomes an especially effective weapon in the political arena. Consider a political candidate planning to run for President, arguably the most powerful job in the world. As that candidate begins gathering money for a campaign from lobbying groups (favors) it seems reasonable that once in office, those groups will come seeking legislative preference. The weapon of reciprocity may unduly pressure the President to return a favor that is not in the best interest of the