According to social exchange theory, those who receive more than what they think they deserve are likely to feel

• A. Guilty
• B. Grateful
• C. Indebted
• D. Anxious

Answer: (A)

Equity and reciprocity in social exchange theory explain that people assess what they receive against what they feel they deserve. When you end up with more than you think you deserve, that fairness imbalance can trigger guilt, because you sense you’ve benefited unfairly and may owe something back or feel a responsibility to restore balance. This negative emotional signal helps motivate repayment or smoothing of the disparity.

Grateful is more about positive appreciation for a kindness, which can occur, but the theory emphasizes the discomfort of over-benefiting. Indebtedness relates to a sense of obligation to repay, which is tied to guilt but isn’t the immediate emotional core; guilt best captures the discomfort of the imbalance. Anxious focuses on worry or fear rather than the fairness tension you feel when outcomes exceed expectations.