Networks play a very huge role in most if not all our lives, it refers to social structures made up of nodes (which can be individuals or organizations) that are connected by one or more types of interdependencies, such as values, visions, ideas, financial exchange, friendship, interests, conflict, or trade. These networks help to study relationships between various social actors and understand social outcomes based on these connections. The networks in my life start with the most intimate people in my life, being my family, it then goes to my friends and their families, my neighbors, people who live in the same area as I do, people who use the same transport as I do. I’ve built networks from primary school to high school and to tertiary school (current state of life), and some of those networks are still active, be it networks with previous fellow learners, teachers, lecturers, and even the staff.

There are three types of social networks known as generalized reciprocity, balanced reciprocity, and negative reciprocity. Generalized reciprocity is defined as a type of social exchange where one party gives something of value to another without expecting anything in return. In my life, I would categorize the relationship I have with my family and some of my friends as generalized reciprocity, whether it’s them buying stuff for me, or me doing something of value for them, or visa vera, there’s never an urge to expect something in return, as the motive behind the action is simply pure and expects nothing in return.

Balanced reciprocity is defined as when two people exchange goods, services, assistance, or favors that are more or less of equal value. I would categorize my education, transportation to school, buying from a store, and donating blood as balanced reciprocity. Every time I go and donate blood, I always expect them to give me a thank you gift, and that’s what they always do, and in return they get my blood which evidently helps save someone's life. The other three examples that I mentioned all have to do with money. Money is paid in my name for a specific function, and in return I expect certain services from each example. Unlike generalized reciprocity, with balanced reciprocity you automatically expect something in return.

Negative reciprocity is defined as when one person gets more out of an exchange than the other. One individual clearly benefits more and the other gives more. Exchanges can involve favors, goods, services, or more. The relationships I have with my lecturers are a splendid example of negative reciprocity, because every time we’re in a class and I or another student asks a question and we get a response from the lecturer, the lecturer gives us information, and we take it in, meaning we get more out of the exchange than they do. Another example is the relationship I have with my parents, they continuously cater to my needs, be it something that has to do with school, my health, what I wear, what I eat etc. They do all of them simply because they see it as a necessity, and as their duty, and they currently do not expect anything in return, meaning I am the one that gets more out of the exchange than they do. Something that balanced and negative reciprocity have in common is the possibility of conflict and exploitation taking place.