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More than Merely Positive: The Immediate Affective and Motivational Consequences of Gratitude

Author

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  • Lisa C. Walsh

    (Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA)

  • Christina N. Armenta

    (Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA)

  • Guy Itzchakov

    (Department of Human Services, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Megan M. Fritz

    (Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA)

  • Sonja Lyubomirsky

    (Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA)

Abstract

Although gratitude is typically conceptualized as a positive emotion, it may also induce socially oriented negative feelings, such as indebtedness and guilt. Given its mixed emotional experience, we argue that gratitude motivates people to improve themselves in important life domains. Two single-timepoint studies tested the immediate emotional and motivational effects of expressing gratitude. We recruited employees ( n = 224) from French companies in Study 1 and students ( n = 1026) from U.S. high schools in Study 2. Participants in both studies were randomly assigned to either write gratitude letters to benefactors or outline their weekly activities (control condition). Expressing gratitude led to mixed emotional experiences (e.g., greater elevation and indebtedness) for employees and students as compared with the control group. Students also felt more motivated and capable of improving themselves, as well as conveyed stronger intentions to muster effort towards self-improvement endeavors.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa C. Walsh & Christina N. Armenta & Guy Itzchakov & Megan M. Fritz & Sonja Lyubomirsky, 2022. "More than Merely Positive: The Immediate Affective and Motivational Consequences of Gratitude," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8679-:d:863670
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kristin Layous & Kate Sweeny & Christina Armenta & Soojung Na & Incheol Choi & Sonja Lyubomirsky, 2017. "The proximal experience of gratitude," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-26, July.
    2. Sonja Lyubomirsky & Heidi Lepper, 1999. "A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 137-155, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eli Vinokur & Avinoam Yomtovian & Guy Itzchakov & Marva Shalev Marom & Liat Baron, 2023. "Social-Based Learning and Leadership (SBL): Theory Development and a Qualitative Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.

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