Reciprocity is defined as a mutual exchange (Agnes 2003). Serial reciprocity is exactly what one might expect – a series of sequential exchanges between parties. This set of exchanges is unique because they do not occur between two people in a closed quid pro quo arrangement. Instead, serial reciprocity is “when people repay the benefits they have received – for example, from a parent, friend, mentor, anonymous stranger, or a previous generation – by providing benefits to a third party, someone other than their benefactor” (Moody, 1994, 4).

Serial reciprocity differs from other forms of reciprocity because the original donor or volunteer does not receive anything tangible, measurable or immediate in return for his or her initial good deed. Philanthropic scholar Robert Payton explained serial reciprocity as, “the principle that says we should repay the good works done for us by the good works we, in turn, do for others” (Payton 1990, 1). Thus, in serial reciprocity, individuals “pay it forward” instead of paying it back.

Source: Serial Reciprocity: Pay It Forward, Genevieve Shaker