The Partial Unacceptability of Money in Repayment for Neighborly Help

Bibliographic Data

ID9891973
AuthorsPaul Webley (Singer (United States), corresponding author), Stephen E G Lea (0000-0002-8498-4187, University of Exeter)
Year1993
Volume46
Issue1
Pages65-76
Publication date1993-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Relations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0018-7267 • E-ISSN: 1741-282X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/001872679304600105
OpenAlexW2098178021
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited15

This study focuses on the acceptability of using money in repayment for three kinds of neighborly help. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 households in four different neighborhoods. Only in the case of the "loan" of food was money found to be an acceptable form of repayment. In most cases, the use of money was rejected because it would break a social convention. There was a strong preference for repaying help by offering the same kind of help in exchange. The data suggested that there are strong patterns of reciprocal helping. Multiple regression analyses showed that the amount of help received was correlated with age, place of previous residence, and the number of people in the immediate area whom the respondent would call by name. Respondents who scored higher on either help received or perceived neighborliness were slightly more willing to offer money in repayment of neighborly help. These results are consistent with the view that there are limits on the use of money in social exchanges

Actuarial science · Demographic economics · Economics · Loan · Microeconomics · Political science · Preference · Residence · Respondent · Finance · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Psychology · Sharing Economy and Platforms · Social Psychology · Urban, Neighborhood, and Segregation Studies