It is of the essence of certain forms that they entail complete reciprocity—economic exchange, personal adornment, and crowd behavior51 are examples. In other forms the reciprocity may be more or less symmetrical. In some cases a relationship gives the appearance of being wholly one-way—power, for example—but closer inspection reveals that in some measure ego is being influenced by, as well as influencing, alter.

DEFINE: Clarifies the concept of reciprocity in social forms — even apparent one-way relationships like power contain mutual influence. Builds on: "Meaning emerges only through interaction, never intrinsically."

Georg Simmel, on individuality and social…, loc. 77