Category: Gratitude

By definition gratitude means ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.’ However, this does not mean to say everyone perceives gratefulness in the same way or even goes by the same definition. Gratitude itself is such a broad and complex topic, we cannot simply take it at face value.

Throughout this essay we will explore the role gratitude has on our biology, such as neural correlates and neurotransmitters, and on our social interactions, such as relationships and prosocial behaviour, debating the possible positive and negative influence.

Gratitude certainly plays a significant role within our culture, influencing our relationships and prosocial behaviours, nevertheless, gratitude isn’t necessarily restricted to influencing external factors. As research has previously shown expressing or receiving gratitude can cause internal biological changes which can ultimately change our mental health/brain activity for the better. We shall be addressing this research later in the essay.

Biopsychology is a branch of psychology which is concerned with the biological aspects of human nature, including neural correlates, mental health, and the central nervous system (CNS) etc, which will be discussed in the context of gratitude in the following paragraphs. It is an important concept within the nature side of psychology thus it is very important to take the research into consideration. On the contrary, social psychology deals with social interactions, it is the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours can be influenced by the presence and actions of those around them. In regard to gratitude, it may be investigated how those who receive it alter their behaviour towards others. This could potentially be in a positive or negative regard.

A common theme reoccurred throughout articles investigating biology’s association with gratitude, this theme was mental health. Explored on several occasions’, depression appeared to have the strongest affiliation with gratitude. Research conducted by Lambert, Fincham, and Stillman (2012) completed 8 studies and all found supporting evidence that gratitude does decrease depressive symptoms. Additionally, they also found gratitude caused people to view possibly negative situations in a positive light. However, these studies were conducted on college students so may not be representative of the general population. It may also help if this particular research was supported by further exploration, especially into the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, both of which have been linked to depression (Levitan et al, 2017). Regardless, this research is still very valuable and provides possibly essential research support to the role of gratitude leading to psychological benefits. Assuming the research completed is high in validity and reliability, this may have practical applications for drug treatments. By further investigating what neurotransmitters increased and/or decreased during the time of receiving gratitude, drug treatments could benefit, by using these results to improve neurotransmitter levels within depression medication. Using these as form of therapy in combination with cognitive and behavioural treatments may prove the most effective when dealing with mental health disorders such as depression leading to overall psychological benefits.

Although the study conducted by Lambert, Fincham, and Stillman (2012) revealed correlations between gratitude and depressive symptoms, they used questionnaires to asses these symptoms. Questionnaires often lack in validity due to external factors such as social desirability and demand characteristics, therefore studies which examine uncontrollable factors such as neurotransmitters could prove more useful. In 2015 a study conducted by Fox, Kaplan, Damasio, and Damasio, found that certain regions of the brain were activated when experiencing gratitude. Fox et al had twenty-three participants in their final sample, the method was to induce the participants with feelings of gratitude through mimicking the events of the holocaust. The participants watched four, two-minute documentaries about different stages of the holocaust, rating on a scale 1 – 4 how grateful participants would feel in the holocaust victims’ position. Data was not collected during this time, once the documentaries were over the participants had a stimulus exposed to them which related to one of the four stages, at this time researchers collected fMRI data. Researchers hypothesized that gratitude ratings would correlate with area specific brain activity, especially those regions of the brain associated with moral cognition, value judgement, and theory of mind. Results supported their hypothesis as fMRI scans revealed brain activity increased in the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, both areas are often linked with the traits mentioned above.

The relationship revealed due to this study uncovers that expressing gratitude could possibly have effects on brain activity. Even though we can’t prove the effect of gratitude on neural correlates is either negative or positive this discovery supplies evidence gratitude does have a psychological effect opening potential gateways to further research. One major limitation of this study is the lack of ecological validity, as participants were only asked to imagine themselves within the situation and did not actually receive these ‘gifts’ themselves. On account of this we can’t be sure how valid these results actually are, it is acceptable to assume the feelings of gratitude actually experienced by the holocaust survivors would have been a lot more intense than those imagined by the participants. In the final discussion Fox et al (2015) reached the conclusion gratitude improves moral cognition, value judgement, and theory of mind. These are all beneficial to the recipient therefore providing support for the argument experiencing gratitude does have psychological benefits.

A study completed by Zahn et al (2009) provided further supporting evidence when reviewing brain stimulation whilst inducing feelings of gratitude and social behaviour. Particularly in the mesolimbic reward pathways they predicted stimulation, they also hypothesised activation in the basal forebrain in affiliative rewards. The Zahn et al study revealed higher frequency of gratitude observed within the participants was directly linked with increased activity within the hypothalamus. It could be argued these results were due to individual differences, however no individual difference for anger/indignation was detected when the whole brain analysis was completed. Another study conducted by Zahn, Garrido, Moll, and Grafman (2014) found increase in proneness to gratitude directly correlated with increased grey matter volume within the right inferior temporal gyrus and posteromedial cortices. Both studies give evidence for neural correlates being affected when an individual receives gratitude.

Although the studies mentioned above do provide supporting evidence for psychological benefits with gratitude linked with biology, most studies fail to recognise the possible social influencers that occur around us throughout day to day living. The following paragraphs will explore the prosocial behaviours and relationships which can be affected due to gratitude.

Everyday people are searching for new ways to improve their relationships, whether that be with a partner, friend, or family member, the importance of these interactions never alters. Which is why research is constantly carried out to find out ways in which we can help develop these relations. Gratitude is a fairly new prospect within the relationship department, however research has been carried out by Lambert, Clark, Durtschi, Fincham, and Graham (2010) which investigates the possible change in perspective within a relationship when gratitude is expressed. The results from this study establish a clear correlation between increased communal strength in the relationship and expressing gratitude to a partner or close friend. Friendship networks can be extremely beneficial towards our mental well-being (Miething et al, 2016) thus improving psychological benefits. If gratitude therefore improves relationships, by extension we gain psychological benefits. However, similar to previously mentioned, research the study completed by Lambert et al (2010) their participants only consisted of college students, due to this we can not generalise these results to more diverse populations as their results only apply to a very specific group of people.

Further studies have been completed in order to support the hypothesis that gratitude can help strengthen relationships. A study directed by Joel, Gordon, Impett, Macdonald, and Keltner (2013) investigated the possible increase in commitment when appreciation is expressed in a romantic partnership. Involving three studies interlinking experimental, longitudinal methods, and daily experience, they set out to test two hypotheses. Joel et al (2013) stated “we hypothesized that people who perceive their partners as more invested will feel a sense of gratitude for their partners, which in turn will promote their own commitment to the relationship”. The final results of all three studies confirmed this assumption. Additional verification was provided by Algoe, Gable, and Maisel (2010).

Finally, in research carried out by Bartlett, Condon, Cruz, Baumann, and Desteno (2012) they found support for gratitude facilitating behaviours that builds and strengthens relationships. Bartlett et al (2012) suggested “These studies move us beyond gratitude’s known ability to facilitate prosocial reciprocity and begin to provide us with further evidence of gratitude’s positive behavioural impact on relationships.”

Pro-social behaviour is another element to be considered when discussing the possible psychological benefits of experiencing gratitude. Society as a collective may also lead to improvement in cognitive functioning as long as society is in consensus (Harris, Barnier, and Sutton, 2012) which is why prosocial behaviour is such an imperative aspect. Much research has been carried out to explore gratitude’s effect on prosocial behaviour, a study carried out by Grant and Gino (2010) conducted 4 experiments. In experiment one and two gratitude increased prosocial behaviour as well as maintaining it, additionally participants were more likely to help when asked a second time. Experiments three and four uncovered participants were more likely to persist longer when helping out without being asked. Amazingly in experiment one and two a simple show of appreciation more than doubled the chances of participants helping out a second time. Grant and Gino (2010) reporting “from 25% to 55% and from 32% to 66%”. Though this research has proved useful it does have its limitations, like many other studies it doesn’t consider the undesirable side of gratitude. Studies could include the investigation of the burden receiving thanks could hold, by making the helper feel pressured to assist even further than what is expected.

Due to the results from this experiment and more (Yost-Dubrow and Dunham 2018) we can assume gratitude does have the capacity to induce prosocial behaviour. This factor could be beneficial for society as well as the individual. From further research into prosocial behaviour and the direct correlation it has with well-being and happiness (Aknin, Broesch, Hamlin, and Van de Vondervoort, 2015) it is not implausible to accept gratitude leads to psychological welfare.

In 2015 a study completed by Oarga, Stavrova, and Fetchenhauer, hypothesised that “The stronger the individual’s belief in reciprocity, the lower the positive association between helping behavior and subjective well‐being”. Using data from 23 countries they put this theory to a test. Their results suggested participants who help others were expected to have more life satisfaction than those who were less helpful. Another interesting discovery uncovered by this experiment is that participants who provided help to others without expecting anything in return also reported being more satisfied with their life than those who expected gifts of kindness to be reciprocated. Life satisfaction and psychological benefits will often come in conjunction with one another therefore this study is important to take into consideration when reviewing the overall effects of gratitude. An obvious weakness within this study is the method used to collect data, using a self-report is risky due to the high chances of social desirability especially in the countries where generosity is a social norm.

In conclusion, by examining the research stated in the above text it is a reasonable statement that gratitude almost certainly has a positive effect on psychological health. Biopsychology as a subject is very rooted in the nature side of psychology, thus is prone to only arguing one side of the nature-nurture debate. This is a concern when deliberating the research investigating biological effects of gratitude, however if social psychology is also considered it may give a balanced argument as society is embedded in the belief the way we are nurtured causes our behaviour. As we can see, both topics are at opposite ends of the psychology spectrum.

Most research conducted by bio-psychologists is lab based, due to this many of the studies lack in ecological validity, although social psychology is more likely to have high levels of ecological validity many of the research can’t control for extraneous variables thus causing low validity in other areas.

Biopsychology and social psychology aren’t the only areas to be considered when exploring this matter. Other areas to be taken into account include, developmental psychology, individual differences, and cognitive psychology. Not including these in a final conclusion would be reductive and reduce overall validity.

Gratitude can have both negative and positive effects, despite research predominately focusing on potential positives it would make sense to investigate the burden receiving gratitude can have (Stomski, Morrison, Sealey, Skeffington, and O’Brien, 2018). It has been previously discussed showing appreciation may make the helper feel pressured to assist further.

Therefore, despite the relentless research into the psychological benefits of gratitude through biopsychology and social psychology, the subject is far too broad to reach a definitive conclusion without studying all psychological perspectives.

There are many definitions for the word gratitude but combining them we can say that gratitude is the feeling of appreciation towards people for something they have done. Historically, gratitude has been a matter of thought for philosophers as well as it has had a special role in religions. For example, there is a “Gratitude to God” in the Bible and in Koran and in Buddhism gratitude is expressed by the concept of independence. (https://bit.ly/2IusO32).

The ways of expressing gratitude varies from culture to culture, in some cultures it is expressed frequently and for all occasions and in some cultures people are not inclined to express gratitude very often. As it has been stated by both scientists and ordinary people the main means of expressing gratitude is through thanking. Thanking is an action, something achieved through not only by uttering words but also by performing action.

J. Austin suggests calling such actions performatives which is derived from the word “perform” the noun of which is “action” (Austin, 1975). Actions performed via utterances are generally called speech acts (Yule, 1996:47).

According to J. Austin a speech act comprises the following levels:

1. The locutionary level-utterance acts and propositional acts make up this level. This means uttering a certain sentence with a certain meaning. This is the basic level of act.
2. The illocutionary level-When people produce a certain utterance they have an intention in their minds. The transformation of speaker’s intention is the illocutionary level of speech acts. Illocutionary acts may have various forces that denote the intention of a speaker (advice, order, request, complaint, question, etc.).
3. The perlocutionary level-Along with the intention in mind, the speaker also wants to bring about various effects on the listener, which comprises the perlocutionary level of speech acts. Surprising, frightening, persuading, scaring, etc. are also considered to be perlocutionary effects.

For instance, the sentence Could I have some whisky, please? may have the illocutionary force of request, but the perlocutionary effect of getting the addressee to do something in favour of the speaker, persuading or annoying him.

The classification of sentences and of speech acts is a complicated phenomenon as it has caused many discussions. One of the accepted versions of classification is suggested by J. Searle. According to him there are five types of speech acts: assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, declarations. Representatives are speech acts that state what the speaker believes to be the case or not: stating, asserting, denying, confessing, admitting, notifying, concluding, predicting. For example, The earth is round; It was a sunny day.

Directives are speech acts that the speakers use to get someone else to do something. They express what the speaker wants: requesting, ordering, forbidding, warning, advising, suggesting, insisting, recommending, instructing, suggesting, urging, permitting. They can be positive and negative: Shut the door; Don’t go there.

Questions are speech acts used to get the hearer to provide information: asking, inquiring: Is this your bag? You don’t smoke, do you? Expressives are speech acts that state what the speaker feels, they express the emotional state of the speaker: apologizing, thanking, congratulating, condoling, welcoming, compliment, deploring, objecting: What a great day! My congratulations!

Declaratives are speech acts that change the status of some entity via their utterance: appointing, naming, resigning, baptizing, marrying, firing, surrendering, excommunicating, arresting: I now pronounce you husband and wife; We find the defendant guilty.

Commissives are speech acts that speakers use to commit themselves to some future action. They express what the speaker intends: promising, vowing, volunteering, offering, guaranteeing, pledging, betting. They can be performed by a speaker alone or as a member of a group: Let me help you; We will not do that; I’m going to get it right in a week. Commissives can be very strong or easily hedged in either positive or negative directions. Women are thought to be more hedged commissives than men.

Coming to expressives the part of which forms the speech act of thanking we can mention the main characteristic features of this type. The point of this class is to express the psychological state specified in the sincerity condition about a state of affairs specified in the propositional content (Searle, 1975:12). Expressive verbs include “thank”, “congratulate”, “apologize”, “condole”, “deplore”, “welcome”. In expressives there is no direction of fit as the speaker neither tries to get the world to match the words nor the words to match the world. When someone apologizes, for example for hitting somebody’s shoulder he or she does not have the purpose to claim that their shoulder was hit. This is reflected in English syntax in the way that these kinds of sentences are not formed by that clauses but by gerund: instead of saying I thank you that you have come with me we say I thank you for coming with me.

The act of thanking is frequently compared with that of apology. Studying the similarities of apologies and expressing gratitude F. Coulmas mentioned that the main likeness between the two was indebtedness. As he mentions, thanking expresses a speaker’s indebtedness as a recipient of a benefit and apologies express the speaker’s indebtedness towards the listener to whom he or she has done any harm. The closeness of this two is mainly expressed in Japanese culture where the word sumimasen is used for the cases of both thanking and apology (Bardovi-Harling, 2008).

As Eisenstein and Bodman state expressing gratitude in an important factor in creating or strengthening social links among people. They speak about the value of gratitude in mainly American culture saying that one indication of its importance is that it is one of the few functions that most speakers can remember being explicitly taught as children. Used frequently in a wide range of interpersonal relationships, this function, when appropriately expressed, can engender feelings of warmth and solidarity among interlocutors. Conversely, the failure to express gratitude adequately can have negative consequences for the relationship of speaker and listener (Eisenstein & Bodman 1993: 64).

There are conditions called “appropriate circumstances” by J. Austin that decide true or false being of speech acts. To thank, for example is not about just uttering words, but about acting as well. And yet, even if someone says “Thank you” in a certain situation we may say that he or she did not succeed in thanking. The reason of this may be some conditions that may go wrong, that is to say, the utterance is not false but unhappy. So, the conditions refer to the existence of certain people, certain utterances and certain circumstances; to the execution of the procedure by all participants, etc. We may infer that when the procedure is invoked in inappropriate circumstances and where the procedure is faultily executed or incompletely executed we deal with the of infelicities or unhappy conditions.

When the procedure is designed for use by persons having certain thoughts, feelings or intentions, then it is important that the person participating in the procedure have those certain feelings, thoughts and intentions. Sometimes it happens that people utter something without having the requisite feelings or intentions. For example, someone says “I thank you” but he or she is not in a mood or something else happened. In this case the utterance is true but insincere, as it is just said because there is a need to say.

Speech acts can be direct and indirect. When there is a direct relationship between the structure and function of speech acts we deal with a direct act. And in case we have an indirect relationship between structure and form we have an indirect speech act. Indirectness can function as a form of politeness. It is defined by G. Yule as a system of interpersonal relations designed to facilitate interaction by minimizing the potential for conflict and confrontation inherent in all human interchange (Yule, 1996:106).

It seems that we all are able to communicate without conflicts, one says something that the other wants to hear and gets the same response, and this is a continuous process as the needs of both sides is met. But there are some situations when it is not possible to satisfy the need of all sides, so there is a breakdown of communication. And politeness strategies come to preserve harmony or at least make everything seem natural and normal (Yule, 1996).

Sometimes language is a good way to insure politeness. Due to the use of some grammatical forms (like passive forms and impersonal forms, for example, one) people are becoming less personally involved in a discussion which in its turn reduces the possibility of breakdown of a conversation. The manifestation and the extent of politeness differ from culture to culture. In some cultures, certain types of linguistic action are more frequently used than in others. Acts that are beneficial for the hearer like complimenting or thanking are more regularly used in Western cultures (the USA, for example) than in Asian cultures (in China). This implies that Americans have a strong positive politeness orientation and that Chinese people think that everyone acts according to their social positions and responsibilities.

Within a culture we can treat politeness as a fixed concept, and define certain principles for being polite in a particular culture like being tactful, generous or sympathetic towards others. But within an interaction, there is a narrowly specified type of politeness at work. In order to describe it, we need to firstly deal with another concept – the concept of face.

In an interaction politeness can be defined as the means employed to show awareness of another person’s face (Yule, 1996:60). Here, politeness can be viewed from the point of view of social distance and closeness. When we show awareness for another person’s face and that person is socially distant, we deal with respect. And when we show awareness for someone’s face who is socially close, we deal with friendship or solidarity. This infers that there might be different kinds of politeness associated with the speculation of social distance or closeness. In English speaking contexts speakers have to determine the extent of social distance or their “face wants” (Yule, 1996).

In everyday communication situations people mainly behave thinking that their public safe image or their face wants will be respected. If a speaker says something that threats another person’s expectations of being respected, this is a case of face threatening act. And if the speaker knows that someone’s expectations of being respected would be threatened by uttering certain sentences, the speaker may say something in order to lessen the possible threat. This is a face saving act.

As G. Yule mentions, a person’s negative face is the need to be independent, to have freedom of action, and not to be imposed on by others. And a positive face is the need to be accepted, even liked, to be treated as a member of the same group and to know that his or her wants are shared by others. Accordingly, a face saving act that is oriented to the person’s negative face will show difference. This is also called negative politeness. And a face saving act that is oriented to the person’s positive face will try to show solidarity and emphasize that both speakers want the same thing. This is a positive politeness.

Avoiding a face threatening act is accomplished by face saving acts which use positive or negative politeness strategies. A positive politeness strategy leads the requester to appeal to a common goal and even friendship by expressions like how about doing something, or I would appreciate if you did something (Yule 1996:64). In order to assure better result the requester may start with asking some questions like How are you or something like this to start up a conversation and then come to the main topic.

English-speaking contexts mainly have the face saving act represented by a negative politeness strategy. One of the best examples of this is the use of modal verbs in a sentence like I’m sorry, can I take your pen? Negative politeness is very often expressed by questions and this gives opportunity to the speaker to answer negatively but with less refusal effect as refusing is not done directly.

Now let us briefly speak about the strategies of positive and negative politeness (Brown, Levinson, 1978). The first positive politeness strategy is that of notice. The speaker starts with remarking something new in the aspects of the hearer’s condition. Asking about changes or anything that the hearer may want the speaker to notice is one of the ways like in the sentence Wow, you have changed your hair colour, that’s nice!

Next is exaggeration strategy. This is mainly achieved by intonation and stress. For example, while describing a situation or saying something as a compliment one uses stressed words and sentences, he or she gives an example of positive strategy. Another strategy is about intensifying interest to the hearer. This is done through telling a “good story” by mainly using the present simple tense in order to bring the hearer to the middle of the events and increasing their interest towards the speaker.

The use of in-group identity markers helps to claim a common ground between the speaker and the hearer. This is done by using address forms (mate, dear, cutie, etc.) or dialect (switching from one language to another or two varieties of a language). Then comes the seek agreement strategy which helps the speaker to find possible ways to contact with the hearer. One of the ways is the so-called safe topics. These topics help to make the hearer believe that they are right. An example of a safe topic can be that of weather or the beauty of gardens, nature, etc.

Another way to ensure agreement is the use of repetition: the speaker repeats what the hearer said thus stressing the emotional agreement with the statement. Avoiding disagreement I achieved through token agreement. This implies expressing disagreement by saying “Yes, but…” rather than directly saying “no”.

White lies are another way of avoiding disagreement. This is the case when the speaker prefers to state an “innocent” lie rather that to destroy the hearer’s positive face. Hedging opinions are sometimes used by the speakers in order to make their opinions vague so that not to be seen to disagree. Words like kind of, sort of, like, etc. are used to make the utterances vague.

The next strategy is about presupposing/raising/asserting common ground. Gossips or small talks can be highly effective for the speaker to be with the hearer. As a mark of friendship or interest the speaker starts to speak about topics unrelated to the main topic. Presupposing manipulations help to make the statements mutually assumed by the speaker whether in fact those statements were not mutually assumed. Presupposing knowledge of the hearer’s wants and attitudes are used to indicate that the speaker knows a lot about the hearer. Presupposition also includes accepting the hearer’s values as the values of the speaker.

The strategy of joke is mainly based on the shared knowledge and values of the speaker and the hearer. Joke is a very useful positive politeness technique as it helps to get the hearer “at ease”. The second type of positive politeness techniques is connected with the want to make the speaker and the hearer cooperators. One of the ways of achieving this is by asserting knowledge of the hearer’s wants and willingness.

Other strategies are about offers and promises (claiming that whatever the hearer wants the speaker will help to obtain); being optimistic (the speaker assumes the hearer will cooperate with him/her); including both the speaker and the hearer in the activity (using “we” instead of “you” and “me” can be good for further cooperation); giving reasons (to make sure why the speaker wants to cooperate with the hearer); asserting reciprocity (give proofs of reciprocal rights and obligations between the speaker and the hearer); giving gifts to the hearer including goods, sympathy or understanding (satisfy the face wants of the hearer by satisfying some of their wants).

Negative politeness brings about cases of being direct or indirect. And these cases are solved by the so-called conventional indirectness- sentences that have unambiguous meanings are used.

Face is being at risk when the self needs to accomplish something involving other (Yule 1996:67). And one of avoiding the risk is to give an opportunity to the other to stop the act that may potentially be at risk. When one wants to ask for something it is better to make sure whether the other is ready for that request or there may be hindering aspects. For example, when asking someone to take a view over a sheet of paper it is better to first ask if he or she is busy or not. This is called a pre-request. The pre-request can have either a “go ahead” response or a “stop response’’ thus making the speaker understand whether it is good to come to the main request or not.

Psychological wellbeing (PWB) is an indicator of mental conditions in aspects of inter-individual and intra-individual, incorporating different situations since the concept of PWB is multidimensional and complex. Two types of PWB are developed as hedonic wellbeing and eudaimonic wellbeing (Ryan & Deci, 2001). Hedonic wellbeing has been equated as happiness, which this philosophy could be chased back to Aristippus. Evaluation of subjective wellbeing (SWB) is adopted to estimate hedonic wellbeing among new research even there are alternatives to measure happiness or discomfort (Diener & Lucas 1999).

Life satisfaction, the existence of positive emotions, and the nonexistence of negative emotions are encompassed in SWB, together frequently concluded as happiness. Eudaimonic wellbeing is referring to the six categories of Carol Ryff (1989) has divided, including self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, positive relationship with others, environment mastery and autonomy. Hereby, expressing gratitude to others appears relating to the aspect of positive relationship with others and positive emotions, which may result in promoting one’s own PWB, agreeing with Sally’s argument. This essay will deliberate this theory by exanimating how gratitude improves hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky (2007) has indicated that there is an association between happiness and gratitude in “The How of Happiness” which is written based on wide-ranging scientific research. Happiness occurs when one is expressing gratitude to others.

As there is limited capacity in our brains, through expressing gratitude, individuals are experiencing the happiness that is accompanied meanwhile diminishing negative deliberations, which in other words is boosting happiness as there is less capacity for unenthusiastic moods. Above concludes expressing gratitude can engender happiness to one individual in which happiness is under the aspect of hedonic wellbeing items of PWB, leading promotion of one’s PWB. Individuals who express gratitude frequently are more sociable, agreeable and tend to have a better relationship than others. To support this point, Lambert and his team (2009) conducted an experiment by asking participants to express gratitude to their friends. The result shows when expressing gratitude, the concepts of participants of how they view relationships might be altered to a concept of treating relationships as a link to endorse and to assist each other generously, leading to greater communal strength and a better positive relationship with others. Additionally, Wood and his team (2010) have concluded that gratitude is related to positive wellbeing and multifarious personality characters which are contributive to establish and cultivate positive relationships.

Hence, via expressing gratitude to others, positive relationships could be built, resulting in fulfillment of the area of positive relationship with others in eudaimonic wellbeing, thus it promotes one’s own PWB. Survey method could be performed to verify this argument. While positive psychology investigations have numerous alternative ways to conduct, for instance, naturalistic observation or archival data, yet, dozens of studies tend to use survey as their methodology. By using self-report questionnaires, two types of PWB could be measured. Asking respondents to rate their own PWB is easy to conduct, yet, the rating could be diverse due to the unique mindset of each individual. Valuing the existence of happiness more weightily than the nonexistence of discomfort and vice versus could result in a dissimilar rating of their own happiness. Yet, participants might contemplate the time periods when valuing their happiness, from very recent history to a long-term view.

In order to avoid this, when the questionnaires are being designed, indicators of time length should be specified for each question. In spite of the time length, individuals’ particular concepts of happiness would result in distinctive measure of their own wellbeing, even if asked detailed questions. By asking qualitative questions about the concepts about happiness of participants can resolve the above problem in order to complement the quantitative questions.

You really don’t know what you have until it’s gone. We complain every day about not liking the food that’s on the table and complaining about not having the latest model of phone. If we searched around us, we could find at least a hundred things that we are not thankful for. However, people less fortunate would be grateful for it. We never stop and realize how lucky we are as we take our family and friends as normal things to have. Some people don’t have the family and friends to rely on as we do, and we could never imagine life without them. They changed us into the person we all are today as they have provided us with everything and anything we could ever wish for, for example, gifts, food, shelter, and even such thing as a shower that you would think everyone would have. Unfortunately, not. It makes me so distraught to even imagine anyone without the things I have.

While I was relaxing watching TV with my family, suddenly dreadful thoughts rushed into my head as I stood up and paced around my house like my heart when I get frightened. I couldn’t stop wondering if people were deprived and didn’t even have a TV to watch a show with excitement as I and my friends do. When we watch a show, we are like kids at a sweet shop. My heart shatters like glass as I realize what I have compared to other people. I would never imagine having a friend who had nothing and how they put a brave smile on their face to hide their worries and fearful, panic-stricken life.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized how fortunate I actually am as I was discussing with my family how things have changed for the better. They had told me stories about the past and how they had coal fires rather than electric and gas central heating, black and white TVs, and if they were lucky enough, they would have a colored TV, but they would need to put money into even viewing it. It’s difficult to believe that they went through life without the Internet or social media, but at the same time, it forced them to use their imagination to keep themselves amused. Shouldn’t we just be grateful we have a TV, social media, and the Internet?

Another advantage of modern-day life is the more advanced technology and how it has made life more comfortable, i.e., washing machines to do the washing rather than doing it by hand. Rough, hard, and difficult was the way my grandparents lived. They had to walk everywhere as they didn’t have transport which made it laborious to get around. Nowadays we have numerous amounts of trains, cars, the bus’, planes and many more ways to travel around. I think if I had been born around the same time as my grandparents, I would be as tired as a worn-out shoe. When I make my appearance in my car, it suddenly smiles at me. I could never envision my life without it.

When we get hungry or thirsty, we can simply pull into a fast food restaurant or even a supermarket for a quick bite to eat. Our supermarkets are stacked high and deep with a large variety of possible choices for you to tuck into. Even at our worst and most difficult times in life, we can still simply reach for food and drink very smoothly. People nowadays moan about having to cook, and would much rather prefer to get themselves a fattening takeaway. Woefully, people don’t have a choice in the matter of whether they or what they are having for dinner. But out there in this world, people have only the choice of a thing as throwing a microwave dinner in the microwave every day of their life. When was the last time you were extremely hungry? Well, that is the most common phrase someone could say as they are relating to people with nothing. Absolutely nothing! They must be exceptionally hungry every day. I mean starving. Shouldn’t we just be happy we have food on the table? Someone with nothing, their stomachs talk to them. We need to start appreciating the things we have in life, even things such as a piece of food.

Another plus point of the changes we have today is something like our health care. Getting the correct medicines for a sick patient, seeing a doctor for a scheduled check-up, and receiving urgent treatment in a hospital. We can access these rather simply with either a phone call or just going straight to the doctor. If we go back to years ago, we can see it wasn’t as straightforward as that. You were lucky if you had an appointment or any medicine to get you fit and healthy again. We never think about how lucky we are to now have everything, such as medicines to cure diseases like diabetes, aids, and some types of cancer, but as the years go on, we believe and have faith that pharmaceutical companies find treatment and how to cure diseases to benefit cancer patients. We should be so appreciative to be living in Scotland as we have free access to the NHS and gladly don’t have to pay for prescriptions, unlike other countries such as America. Currently, we are very lucky to have access to doctors and top surgeons unlike in the past. Some procedures and clinical trials can lead to risks and could sometimes/rarely lead or end badly. This has shown me how our medical science has advanced and improved for the better to make our lives better and easier for ourselves, our friends, and the family members around us.

While doing my research on this painful, dreadful, and realistic topic I have learned how life now has changed for the best unlike when my grandparents were younger, but the other point proves people have nothing and are not living their best life. I have been taught to appreciate everything I have and make my life the most special thing I could ever wish for and never give up on anything or anyone. Always appreciate life and always give others a chance to change and try to be themselves. I now have absorbed the information and will live a thoughtful life.

A significant amount of scholarly research on gratitude and social trust has been done by a number of academic leaders in psychology and other fields such as McCullough, Nowak, and DeSteno, yet few scholars have provided a systematic, intuitive, and coherent discussion of the relationship between the two. To address this gap in scholarship, this essay proposes a view based on extensive theoretical content and experimental research that gratitude influences psychological process, emotional experience and decisions making during the trust-related social interaction, which is, being neglected, widely used in many specific situations throughout These theoretical elements and experimental studies will be mentioned and explained in subsequent paragraphs.

In the field of gratitude, a recent trend has been for scholars in the fields of secular psychology and philosophy to join in the study of gratitude. Like in Thessalonians 5:18, St. Paul’s said ”In every thing give thanks, for This is the will of God,” and most scholars of Christianity have placed great emphasis on gratitude. Now, however, gratitude and its conceptual contours seem to have suddenly become a hot topic in the fields of philosophy and psychology. What is driving this shift? Emmons attribute this to advances in measurement methods. He argues that self-report measures of gratitude have been heavily used in recent years, thus helping research become clearer and more proactive (4-4). Liz Gulliford however, argue that the rise of moral ethics in moral philosophy at the end of the twentieth century, which prompted a new look at emotional virtues, is the main reason why gratitude has become a focus of attention (13).

Philosophers and psychologists, however, have very different approaches to how they study gratitude. Philosophers study gratitude through a conceptual analytical approach, which also includes thought experiments that set up moral dilemmas. They tend to think of gratitude as a moral concept and focus on its moral justification, salience, and implicit meaning. At the same time, most philosophers tend to think of gratitude as a virtue, or at least a ‘potential virtue,’ although ‘It does not appear in the list of standard virtues in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, nor among the additional virtues of a purely emotional nature that He introduces in the Rhetoric’ (13). One of the characteristics that gratitude shares with the other virtues is that one can be taught to correct those who do not possess the virtue. Very normal. However, if gratitude is to be considered a virtue, it requires a standard of moral distinction between access, deficient or misjudged, just like any other virtue. Moreover, for gratitude to be a moral virtue, we also need to understand the distinctive or intrinsic ethical benefits of gratitude. There is a lack of rigorous academic regulation of the inclusion of gratitude as a virtue in virtue ethics systems (5). Rather than focusing on conceptual clarity and moral legitimacy, psychological research on gratitude has attempted to quantify and measure gratitude. Psychologists often attempt to show the effects of gratitude through changes in relevant physiological indicators and questionnaires. Philosophers and psychologists have also often attacked each other, arguing that their own field of measurement is superior in the study of gratitude. Psychologist Emmons has argued that ‘only a ‘scientific perspective’ can provide an ‘ An evidence-based approach’ to the correlates of gratitude’. However, opponents argue that when psychologists measure so-called happiness traits, they usually use subjective instruments, which is the questionnaires filled out by research objectives, which do not accurately quantify the results and can be influenced by the psychological implication of the research target’s self (13).

Moreover, philosophical and psychological scholars have not been able to agree on a definition of what people mean by gratitude. Early psychologists of gratitude argued that gratitude is just an action. And in McConnell’s 1993 philosophical study, he emphasized the inner emotions and intentions while insisting that certain actions are necessary for gratitude. He argued that the return of goodwill and the public expression of gratitude represent the outward behavioral characteristics of gratitude. Gratitude must involve a fully and authentically realized feeling of gratitude. It is not enough to express gratitude through gestures or to return gifts. Virtue ethics, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with gratitude as a trait. Virtue ethics seems to be more concerned with having a stable and continuous intention than with action: one can be thought of as fully and unreservedly grateful-even if, for some reason, one does not have the ability or opportunity to express this emotion in action. And extending from the virtue ethics claim that gratitude is a trait, some psychologists argue that it is important to distinguish between occasional gratitude as a state and gratitude as a trait, and that the study of the two should not be conflated. They support a positive psychology approach that distinguishes between gratitude as a situational emotion and as a character strength. Currently, there is still no consensus on the different definitions of gratitude as an action, emotion, or trait (13).

In philosophical analyses of gratitude, there is also a common controversy about whether gratitude is a triadic concept or a dyadic concept, a triadic concept that refers to three variables: the beneficiary, the benefit, and the beneficiary’s grateful benefactor. But a group of scholars, represented by Carl, believe that gratitude follows a binary structure. ‘There is a recipient of good will, who directs this good will to the gift itself’ means that people are grateful for something rather than being grateful to someone (13). One might argue that whether gratitude is a ternary or a binary concept may affect whether it should be considered a non-obligatory virtue. For example, one might argue that an unobjective attitude of gratitude for all the goodness one has received is a more noble form of gratitude (5).

In addition to conceptual studies of gratitude, scholars have also attempted to explore the social implications of gratitude. McCullough propose that gratitude has two psychological characteristics associated with pro-social behavior. First, McCullough and his colleagues propose that gratitude is a benefit detector, an emotional readout that reminds people that they have benefited from another person’s pro-social behavior. They also propose that gratitude motivates pro-social behavior by creating a psychological state that supports generosity and cooperation. They suggest that those who receive gratitude feedback are more willing to give to others than those who do not receive it. Those who are grateful to the giver are willing to make more effort to help the giver, and they are also more likely to help a stranger (6). In this way, gratitude serves as a reminder of the reciprocity norm, which requires people to do something in return for the help they receive.

This facilitation of reciprocal relationships by gratitude may not be accidental. For the evolutionary basis of gratitude may be the reciprocal relationship among primates (13). This idea may have come from Darwin, who argued that gratitude is observable in the behavior of nonhuman primates. And gratitude can evolve independently of language, since some nonverbal behaviors are useful for expressing gratitude, such as shaking hands (6).

Trivers’ theory is also consistent with two other findings on gratitude. First, people are expected to be more grateful to strangers, acquaintances, and friends who are beneficial to them than to genetically related relatives. For reasons of kin altruism, gratitude should not be activated by the prospect of receiving benefits from genetic relatives. This could explain why gratitude for relatives is significantly less intense than gratitude for non-relatives. Second, in addition to promoting reciprocal altruism, gratitude is also thought to promote ‘upstream reciprocity,’ which is recipient transmission of benefits to a third party, rather than to the giver. Gratitude increases people’s trust in third parties. Gratitude increases trust in strangers by helping to build relationships that support reciprocally altruistic behavior. Gratitude is therefore considered to be potentially more valuable in the establishment of reciprocal relationships than in their maintenance. This distinction between givers and strangers also supports, to some extent, the argument that gratitude is a ternary concept, as mentioned earlier. Using computer simulations, Nowak conclude that upstream reciprocity can improve an organism’s adaptability (6). This is because when resources flow dynamically within an organization, members are physically and spiritually healthier and wealthier. Simple. Resource cycling helps individuals become more adaptive in a dynamic environment (15). If this evolution of gratitude promotes upstream reciprocity, it will be less difficult for altruism to stabilize in a population, making it more effective (6). She argues that most traditional research on gratitude has been limited by its focus on the relationship between benefactor and beneficiary. Upstream reciprocity has never been studied at the level of the reciprocity chain or organization. Reciprocity in traditional experiments can be fully perceived and controlled by the participants because studying upstream reciprocity outside of the reciprocity chain only focuses on a single set of reciprocal relationships (15). However, this is not a good simulation of the social reality, when the reciprocal relationships in a mesh are not all fully perceived by the participants at one of the nodes. Therefore, it is doubtful that the upstream reciprocity found in the laboratory can be extended to real life. Therefore, Yenping sought to investigate the integrative function of gratitude using social network analysis techniques. By assessing the direct relationship between the participants and the recipient, they build an organizational network that reinserts the individual into a larger, more authentic life structure. The research team completed a semester-long study of reciprocal relationships with 174 students at National Taiwan University, which broadly confirmed the social importance of gratitude in promoting upstream reciprocity (15).

After clarifying how gratitude facilitates upstream reciprocity, i.e., increases trust in strangers, it’s not hard to understand the enormous impact of gratitude on trust-related social contacts. Dariusz and his team conducted a set of experiments with 61 Polish university students between the ages of 18 and 32 in an attempt to The experiment was conducted by Dariusz and his team with 61 Polish university students between the ages of 18 and 32, in an attempt to provide a descriptive and researchable case study of this effect. The experiment was conducted in the form of a comparison experiment between a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group received a gratitude intervention, while the control group did not. The basic approach of the gratitude intervention is to help the experimental subjects recall the things in their lives for which they are grateful (1).

In terms of psychological processes, by measuring the blood pressure and respiratory rate of the experimental subjects, the research team confirmed that gratitude raises the expectation of enthusiasm for trust decisions. Fleury and Chin, on the other hand, found that asking participants to recall experiences in their lives that produced gratitude led them to attribute the success of others to stable factors under his control rather than to luck. In other words, gratitude leads one to give recognition to the achievements of others. (6).Tsang also found that gratitude mediated the link between receiving valuable gifts and reward better than feelings of indebtedness (6). Although both indebtedness and gratitude are psychological states that arise as a result of being helped, both can motivate individuals to return the favor to the giver. However, feelings of indebtedness only narrow, rather than expand, one’s social interactions. (1).

Abstract

Being grateful or ruminating on one’s depressive symptoms can have dramatic impacts on mood. Past research gives evidence that rumination leads to more negative affect in depressed people and gratitude leads to more positive affect regardless of baseline depression levels. Participants (N = 198) were randomly assigned to a neutral rumination (n = 99) or positive gratitude condition (n = 99) and the effects on positive and negative mood were examined. I hypothesized that people high in depression would have higher negative affect in the rumination condition than in the gratitude condition, while nondepressed people would show no difference in negative affect in either the rumination or gratitude conditions. I also predicted that people high in depression would have lower positive affect in the rumination condition than in the gratitude condition and, regardless of baseline depression level, people would have higher positive affect in the gratitude condition than in the rumination condition. In line with my prediction, gratitude led to higher positive affect and lower negative affect regardless of baseline depression level. However, rumination led to higher negative affect and, contrary to my prediction, decreased positive affect for both depressed and nondepressed people. Perhaps rumination elicits more negativity rather than being neutral even among nondepressed people, and gratitude elicits positivity. These strategies are influential on mood and purposely engaging in more proactive gratitude behaviors can help improve people’s moods and even improve depression levels and symptoms.

Consequences

Mental health is an important part of one’s overall well-being, and a strong predictor of ability to cope with stress and hassles. There is some evidence that having a more positive mood, even during times of stress, can improve life satisfaction. The field of Positive Psychology has long stressed the idea that gratitude can lead to more positive mood and longer-lasting benefits. Sansone and Sansone (2010) defined gratitude as the appreciation of what is important and meaningful to oneself and represents a sense of thankfulness. Researchers suggest that practicing gratitude-inducing techniques helps increase positive mood and well-being, leading to overall improved life satisfaction and happiness.

Although gratitude is one possible response to life’s circumstances, some people ruminate instead. Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1993) defined rumination as thoughts that focus attention on one’s symptoms of depression and the consequences and after-effects of these symptoms. Ruminating on one’s circumstances and depressive symptoms can lead to an increase in depression and negative mood. It is important to understand how these coping strategies can lead to higher negative mood and lower positive mood so that more appropriate and useful techniques can be used in the future.

Rumination

Previous research has suggested that rumination can lead to more negative mood in depressed people. In one study, participants were categorized as depressed or nondepressed based on a pre-test depression survey, and then randomly assigned to either a rumination or a distraction condition (Nolen‐Hoeksema & Morrow, 1993). In the rumination condition, participants were asked to think about things that were symptom, emotion, and self-focused like “the possible consequences of the way you feel.” In the distraction condition, participants were asked to focus their thoughts on external things like “two birds sitting on a tree branch.” After the testing conditions, they were given a post-test questionnaire that measured level of depressed mood. The researchers hypothesized that depressed participants would maintain or have an increase in depressed mood when performing the rumination task, and that the distraction task would decrease their depressed mood. Also, neither the rumination nor the distraction tasks would have significant effects on nondepressed participants’ moods.

In line with their hypothesis, Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1993) found that rumination tasks increased depressed mood in depressed subjects, and distraction tasks lowered their depressed mood to be equal to those with no baseline depression. Therefore, rumination tasks increase depressed mood and distraction tasks relieve it. Also, in nondepressed subjects, there was no change in depression levels in either the rumination or distraction tasks. This relates to my prediction that rumination leads to higher negative affect in depressed participants and does not change affect in nondepressed participants. Our study will fill a gap in the literature by also examining effects of rumination on positive affect.

In a correlational study, participants’ depression levels were measured and then they were assessed over a two-day period, 12 hours per day (Huffziger, Ebner-Priemer, Koudela, Reinhard, & Kuehner, 2012). On the first day, they were asked throughout the day (about every hour) to rate their level of self-focus (“at the moment I am thinking about my feelings/problems”) and to rate their mood (how agitated or calm, unwell or well). On the second day, participants went about their normal day in their natural environment, but were reminded by experimenters via a phone-like device to focus their attention on ruminative statements (“think about the way you feel inside”, “think about the possible consequences of the way you feel”) for 3 minutes at a time throughout the day, about 10 assessments. Afterward, they were asked to rate their current levels of self-focus and mood. The researchers hypothesized that rumination would predict higher immediate ruminative self-focus and lower mood. They also predicted that those high in depression would have even larger effects, and rumination would be related to longer-term changes in affect and self-focus.

The researchers found that rumination led to an immediate increase in self-focus and decrease in positive mood. They also found that nondepressed participants were also affected by rumination. They explained that this could be because they were in a natural state rather than in a lab and that more research would need to be done. They did not find longer-term effects of rumination in the hours following the experiment. This relates to my hypothesis that rumination leads to higher negative affect in depressed people. The finding that rumination also leads to higher negative affect in nondepressed people can be explained away by experimental design and small sample size.

Gratitude

Past research on gratitude has suggested that gratitude can lead to higher positive mood. In one study, participants were randomly assigned to a gratitude condition or a control condition (Toepfer, Cichy, & Peters, 2012). Participants in the experimental group (gratitude condition) completed questionnaires weekly for four weeks. The questions assessed life satisfaction, gratitude, happiness, and depressive symptoms. During the second, third, and fourth week they also wrote letters of gratitude to an individual with the knowledge that the letters would be mailed at the end of the study. The control group completed the same questionnaires during week one and four, but they did not write letters. The researchers hypothesized that writing letters of gratitude would increase life satisfaction, gratitude, and happiness, and decrease depressive symptoms.

The researchers found that in the gratitude group (letter writers), happiness and life satisfaction increased significantly and had a cumulative effect after each letter. There was no change in happiness or life satisfaction in the control group. The letter writers also had a significant decrease in depressive symptoms. Gratitude levels did not change in either group. This relates to my hypothesis that gratitude will lead to higher positive affect and lower negative affect. While this study did not separate participants as depressed and nondepressed, I predict that the same findings will apply to people who are depressed.

In another study, participants were randomly assigned to a gratitude group, a hassles group, or a downward social comparisons group (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). In the gratitude group, participants were also asked to think back over the last week and write down five things that they were grateful or thankful for. In the hassles group, participants were asked to think back over the day and list up to five hassles that occurred in their life. In the downward social comparisons group, participants were asked to think about ways in which they are better off than others, including things they have that others do not. After completing the assigned tasks for their condition, participants were asked to keep daily records for 16 days about positive and negative moods and health habits (such as number of minutes spent exercising, number of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages consumed, number of pain medications taken, number of hours slept and sleep quality). They were also asked daily if they had helped someone by providing emotional support or help with a problem. The researches predicted that exercises focusing on gratitude would lead to heightened well-being and increased positive affect, relative to focusing on hassles or neutral life events.

Emmons and McCullough (2003) found that participants in the gratitude group had a larger increase in positive affect than the hassles group, and the social comparison group did not have a change in positive affect. They found that there was no difference in negative affect between the gratitude group and the hassles group. Those in the gratitude group were also more likely to have offered emotional support or helped someone with a problem than those in the hassles or social comparison group. There was no difference in physical health issues (such as time exercising, sleep amount and quality, alcohol, pain medication, and caffeine intake) between the three groups. This corresponds with my prediction that gratitude would lead to higher positive affect than rumination, and I predict that these findings will apply to depressed people as well.

In a study by Seligman, Steen, Park, and Peterson (2005) participants were recruited on the internet and randomly assigned to a gratitude condition or a control condition. All participants completed pre-test questionnaires to rate their depression symptoms and happiness levels. The sample was on average mildly depressed as the recruiting website was marketing a self-help book designed to increase happiness and people interested in that book were probably experiencing some level of depression. In the gratitude condition, participants were given one week to write and send a letter of gratitude for a person who had helped them in some way and never been properly thanked. The control group journaled about their early memories every night for one week. Follow up tests occurred immediately after completion of the task, at one week, one month, three months, and six months to see if effects remained long-term. The experimenters hypothesized that gratitude would increase happiness and decrease depressive symptoms.

The researchers found that the gratitude condition had a large increase in happiness for one month, with higher happiness levels for up to three months when the levels went back to the pre-test levels. Depression symptoms were significantly lowered in the gratitude condition immediately after completing the task and continued to be lower than pre-test levels for three months. In the control condition, participants were happier and less depressed at the immediate post-test but returned to baseline levels at the one-week post-test. This relates to my hypothesis that gratitude leads to higher positive affect (happiness) and lower negative affect in both depressed and nondepressed people.

The Current Study

In the current study, depressed and nondepressed participants were randomly assigned to a rumination or gratitude condition to measure the effects on positive and negative affect. As suggested by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1993), I predicted that people high in depression would have higher negative affect in the rumination condition than in the gratitude condition, while nondepressed people would show no difference in negative affect in either the rumination or gratitude conditions. I also predicted that, regardless of baseline depression level, people would have higher positive affect in the gratitude condition than in the rumination condition.

Method

Participants

The study consisted of 198 participants who were students at California State University, East Bay who were enrolled in Introductory Psychology. Ages ranged from 18 to 46 years (M = 19.58, SD = 2.68). Sex of participants was 28.3% male and 71.7% female. Ethnicity of participants was 35.4% Hispanic/Latino, 21.2% Asian, 17.2% Black/African American, 11.1% White/Caucasian, 3.5% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 10.1% More than one, and 1.5% Other. Participants were given 1 credit towards fulfilling their experimental requirements for completing the study.

Materials and Procedure

Participants were told that the experiment would focus on the processes of imagination, daydreaming, cognition, and personality. They were informed that the study would take about 50 minutes and would consist of questionnaires in which they would have to visualize or imagine certain scenes and situations. They were informed that they would be given one credit towards their course requirement for participating in the study and had the right to stop at any time with no penalty. Participants were then moved to individual computer lab rooms to complete the study online.

In the beginning of the study, participants were given the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) developed by Beck, Steer, and Brown (1996) to rate their baseline depression levels and categorize participants as depressed and nondepressed. The BDI consists of 20 groups of statements and participants were asked to pick one statement from each group that best described how they had been feeling for the past two weeks. Statements included “Sadness: (0 points) I do not feel sad, (1 points) I feel sad much of the time, (2 points) I am sad all the time, or (3 points) I am so sad or unhappy that I can’t stand it.” Higher scores indicated higher levels of depression (M = 12.89, SD = 7.96). Nondepressed participants were categorized by scores of 0-13 points on the BDI-II and depressed participants were categorized by scores 14 points and above on the BDI-II (n = 116 nondepressed, n = 82 depressed).

Participants were then given the Affect-Adjective Scale (Diener & Emmons, 1985) to measure pre-test positive and negative affect. The scale consists of a list of 27 emotional states that lie in the positive or negative range (such as thankful, enthusiastic, frustrated, and discouraged), and participants were asked to rate on a scale from 1 to 7 (1 being not at all and 7 being extremely) how they would describe themselves in relation to each emotional state at that very moment. Positive affect was measured by combining Happy, Pleased, Joyful, Enjoyment/Fun (Pre-test: Cronbach’s α = .89, M = 3.59, SD = 1.49), and negative affect was measured by combining Sad, Depressed/Blue, Unhappy, Worried/Anxious, Frustrated, and Angry/Hostile (Pre-test: Cronbach’s α = .87, M = 2.17, SD = 1.17). Baseline levels of positive and negative affect were recorded pre-test and again after the experimental condition. After completing the pre-test procedures, participants were given filler tasks to conceal the main purpose of the study and avoid biased data before being randomly assigned to a rumination (n = 99) or gratitude condition (n = 99).

Rumination. In the rumination condition, as previously outlined by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1993), participants were asked to read a list of ideas and focus their attention, being sure to really concentrate on and visualizing each item. The items were relatively neutral but could be interpreted as negative for some individuals. Some of the items included “Think about: the physical sensations you feel in your body,” “Think about: why you react the way you do,” “Think about: the possible consequences of your mental state.”

Gratitude. In the gratitude condition, the procedure was adapted from being relatively neutral or even negative, to being focused on positive and grateful feelings. Participants were asked to read a list of ideas and focus their attention on each one, visualizing and concentrating on each. Some of the questions included “Think about: a time when you felt moved by the actions of another person,” “Think about: someone who did something unexpected for you,” and “Think about: a compliment you received about your personality.”

After completion of the experimental conditions, participants were asked again to complete the Affect-Adjective Scale (Diener & Emmons, 1985) to measure positive and negative affect post-test (Post-test Positive Affect: Cronbach’s α = .92, M = 3.80, SD = 1.57; Post-test Negative Affect: Cronbach’s α = .88, M = 1.98, SD = 1.11). Participants were given a survey to collect demographic information and then debriefed, with the true purpose of the study revealed. Participants were also asked not to talk to their friends or classmates about the purpose of the study to ensure that future participants were not informed beforehand.

Results

Controlling for pre-test positive affect, I conducted a 2 x 2 (Condition [rumination, gratitude] x [Depression level [depressed, nondepressed]) factorial ANCOVA on post-test positive affect. As predicted, I found a main effect of condition on positive affect such that the gratitude condition reported higher positive affect (M = 4.07, SE = 0.09) than the rumination condition (M = 3.53, SE = 0.09), F(1, 193) = 17.04, p < .001, ηp2 = .08. I did not find a main effect of depression level on positive affect (depressed: M = 3.80, SE = 0.10; nondepressed: M = 3.79, SE = 0.09), F(1, 193) = .003, p = .96, ηp2 = .00. I did not find an interaction on positive affect such that the effect of condition did not vary by level of depression (depressed/rumination: M = 3.50, SE = 0.16; depressed/gratitude: M = 4.10, SE = 0.13; nondepressed/rumination: M = 3.56, SE = 0.11; nondepressed/gratitude: M = 4.03, SE = 0.13), F(1, 193) = .27, p = .61, ηp2 = .001. This supports my hypothesis that positive affect would be higher in the gratitude condition than the rumination condition regardless of baseline depression level.

Controlling for pre-test negative affect, I also conducted a 2 x 2 (Condition [rumination, gratitude] x [Depression level [depressed, nondepressed]) factorial ANCOVA on post-test negative affect. I found a main effect of condition on negative affect such that the rumination condition reported higher negative affect (M = 2.17, SE = 0.07) than the gratitude condition (M = 1.84, SE = 0.06), F(1, 193) = 13.01, p < .001, ηp2 = .06. I found a main effect of depression level such that depressed people reported higher negative affect (M = 2.11, SE = 0.08) than nondepressed people (M = 1.90, SE = 0.06), F(1, 193) = 3.86, p = .05, ηp2 = .02. I did not find an interaction on negative affect such that the effect of condition did not vary by level of depression (depressed/rumination: M = 2.33, SE = 0.11; depressed/gratitude: M = 1.89, SE = 0.10; nondepressed/rumination: M = 2.01, SE = 0.08; nondepressed/gratitude: M = 1.79, SE = 0.09), F(1, 193) = 1.34, p = .25, ηp2 = .01. Contrary to my prediction that condition would only be significant among depressed people, it was significant for depressed and nondepressed people.

Discussion

This study showed that for both depressed and nondepressed people, rumination led to higher negative affect and lower positive affect and gratitude led to lower negative affect and higher positive affect. This was consistent with my hypothesis in regard to gratitude, that gratitude would lead to lower negative affect and higher positive affect regardless of baseline depression levels. However, this was contrary to my hypothesis that negative affect would be higher and positive affect would be lower only in depressed people.

Contrary to my predictions, the results of the study mirrored those of Huffziger et al. (2012), in which rumination led to higher negative affect and lower positive affect in both depressed and nondepressed participants. The researchers suggested that this finding could be because they were not conducting the study in a lab, but it may be that these findings are actually more in line with real-life experiences. These findings are also contrary to the results found by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1993), in which rumination only increased depressed mood (negative affect) in depressed participants. I found that rumination led to higher negative affect and lower positive affect regardless of baseline depression levels. It seems that rumination tasks designed to be neutral may elicit negative interpretations in individuals regardless of baseline depression levels; perhaps their self-reflective nature can turn negative if they are not framed to be overtly positive. Gratitude tasks may also elicit positive emotions in most people, regardless of depression levels.

In line with Toepfer et al. (2012), the study indicated that gratitude leads to higher positive affect and lower negative affect. Our study suggests that these findings are also applicable to depressed people. This is also consistent with the findings of Seligman et al. (2005). It appears gratitude exercises improve mood for most people, possibly by focusing on a more positive outlook.

Limitations and Future Directions

Although we attempted to make the study as sound as possible, there were some flaws that may have influenced the results. The sample was a student sample featuring mostly young adults, and there should be future studies of different age ranges and education levels. Perhaps older people would not view the rumination task as negative, but rather more neutral, as intended. The study was also mostly women, with only 28.3% male participants. A more evenly distributed sample could show if these results apply to both genders and not just mostly women. Perhaps men would have been less negatively influenced by rumination as women may focus more on their negative traits than men. The study also only consisted of psychology students and because of their knowledge of related topics and concepts, they may have been able to identify the true purpose of the study or answer the questions in the ways that they suspect the researchers wanted. A broader sample including many different majors should be conducted. In general, future studies broadening the sample could help show if the results apply to the general population.

There were also some flaws in the delivery of the study that could have influenced the results. The researchers were different for each trial and perhaps these small differences in personality and the way they explained the instructions altered the way participants responded in the study; it’s possible these differences changed the ways in which the participants understood the study and the instructions for completing the study accurately. Future studies using the same researchers for every trial to ensure there were no changes across trials would be more accurate. Also, some of the computer lab rooms were different from each other, including different chairs (with different levels of comfort) and some having windows which could have affected mood and introduced unsystematic variability into the study. Future studies with a more uniformly designed lab would be more solid.

There were also some flaws in the design of the study that could have swayed the results and interpretations. This study was very short-term, with gratitude and rumination procedures practiced for only 8 minutes. It would be interesting to see a future study in which the experimental conditions were longer or repeated several times to see effects of ruminating or practicing gratitude on negative and positive affect long-term. The study was also pretty artificial in a lab setting, so future studies could use more naturalistic procedures that people would be more likely to use in their daily lives, like gratitude journals or writing letters. It might be interesting to see how letter writing and journaling differ in their effects on gratitude. Perhaps letter writing shows higher increases in positive affect than journaling, or even longer-term effects.

Conclusion

Although further work is needed to gain a better understanding of the effects of rumination and gratitude on positive and negative mood, my findings indicate that rumination leads to higher negative affect and lower positive affect, and gratitude leads to higher positive affect and lower negative affect. This study evidenced that rumination tasks may still elicit negative emotions and gratitude tasks elicit positive emotions, regardless of baseline depression levels. It is important to understand how these strategies can lead to higher negative mood and lower positive mood so that more appropriate and useful techniques can be used in the future. These techniques could even be used to minimize depression symptoms and improve overall mental health.

References

1. Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Manual for Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.
2. Diener, E., & Emmons, R. A. (1985). The independence of positive and negative affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47, 1105-1117.
3. Emmons, R. & McCullough, M.(2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389.
4. Huffziger, S., Ebner-Priemer, U., Koudela, S., Reinhard, I., & Kuehner, C. (2012). Induced rumination in everyday life: Advancing research approaches to study rumination. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(6), 790-795.
5. Nolen‐Hoeksema, S. & Morrow, J. (1993). Effects of rumination and distraction on naturally occurring depressed mood. Cognition and Emotion, 7(6), 561-570
6. Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2010). Gratitude and well being: the benefits of appreciation. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 7(11), 18-22.
7. Seligman, M. (E. P)., Steen, T.A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist,60(5), 410-421.
8. Toepfer, S., Cichy, K., & Peters, P. (2012). Letters of gratitude: Further evidence for author benefits. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(1), 187-201.

Gratitude Essay 1 (100 words)

Gratitude is the rare jewel that graces our lives with a warm glow, signifying our appreciation for the gifts we receive daily. An essential virtue is the magical thread that binds us to the universe and its many wonders. The purest form of acknowledgment, gratitude, can transform our outlook on life. This gratitude essay emphasizes the pivotal role of thankfulness in molding our character and outlook. It accentuates that gratitude is not merely an action but a feeling. This emotion resonates deeply within us, enabling us to appreciate the beauty around us and fostering a spirit of contentment within our hearts.

Gratitude Essay 2 (200 words)

Among humans’ various values, gratitude stands out as a profound emotion that enhances our perception of the world around us. It is a mental state that encourages positivity and contentment, making our lives more meaningful and rewarding. This gratitude essay delves into the depth of this powerful emotion, examining its effects on our well-being and daily experiences.

Gratitude is not just an ethical virtue; it is a practice that can shape our mental and emotional health. Countless studies confirm the correlation between gratitude and an increased sense of overall satisfaction and well-being. When we express gratitude, we acknowledge the goodness in our lives and often realize that the source lies partially outside ourselves, nurturing our bonds with others and our environment.

However, gratitude doesn’t always come naturally; it requires conscious effort. Recognizing the good in our lives can be challenging, particularly in times of hardship. Yet, during these moments, the practice of gratitude becomes essential. It helps us shift our focus from what we lack to the existing abundance.

Finally, gratitude encourages empathy and discourages negative emotions such as envy, resentment, and regret. By acknowledging our blessings, we open our hearts to the kindness and generosity embedded in the human spirit.

Gratitude Essay 3 (300 words)

Gratitude is often associated with expressing thanks, but its implications extend far beyond a mere acknowledgment of favors received. It represents a profound recognition of the interdependence we share with the world around us, the understanding that our success and well-being are tied to others and our environment. Through this gratitude essay, we will explore the multifaceted nature of gratitude and its impact on our mental health, relationships, and life satisfaction.

An integral component of many spiritual and philosophical teachings worldwide, gratitude encourages us to acknowledge the good in our lives and attribute it to forces beyond ourselves. This perspective can stimulate a profound shift in how we perceive our place in the world, transforming our experiences and relationships.

Scientifically, the practice of gratitude has been linked to numerous benefits. It contributes to greater happiness by encouraging positive emotions, relishing good experiences, and building strong relationships. Additionally, gratitude has been shown to reduce stress and depression, improving mental resilience and enabling individuals to navigate through life’s adversities. As we consciously focus on what we are grateful for, we train our minds to spot positivity, creating a cycle of positivity and gratitude.

Furthermore, gratitude has the power to improve relationships. Expressing gratitude to others makes us more empathetic, less aggressive, and more oriented toward socializing. It can enhance our connections, build trust, and foster mutual respect and appreciation. It allows us to recognize and affirm the value and worth of others in our lives, building a sense of belonging and community.

In essence, gratitude is not just a moral virtue but a key to a fulfilling and enriching life. It reminds us of the beauty and goodness surrounding us, empowering us to navigate through life with a heart full of joy, a mind full of appreciation, and a spirit full of contentment.

Gratitude Essay 4 (400 words)

Introduction

Gratitude, the quality of being thankful, has a much more profound significance than it’s often given credit for. It’s a deeply-rooted appreciation for kindness or benefits received and is considered a critical determinant of overall well-being. As we delve deeper into this gratitude essay, we aim to unwrap the essence of gratitude, its advantages, and ways to practice this life-altering virtue.

Advantages of Gratitude

Gratitude is a gateway to an abundance of benefits. On a personal level, it positively impacts our psychological health, reducing many toxic emotions ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Studies have shown that gratitude increases happiness and reduces depression.

Moreover, gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression, improving interpersonal relationships. When we express gratitude, we foster a sense of mutual respect and connection, leading to better friendships and social networks.

Gratitude also bolsters physical health. Those who regularly engage in the practice of expressing gratitude experience fewer aches and pains and have a greater overall feeling of health. It even positively affects our sleep patterns.

Finally, gratitude can play a significant role in our career growth. It can increase goal achievement, improve decision-making, and promote productivity. Gratitude essentially has a beneficial domino effect on our lives, changing a variety of facets of it and bringing about overall happiness.

How to Practice Gratitude

The practice of gratitude begins with developing a new perspective toward life. We can start by maintaining a gratitude journal, writing down the things we’re thankful for daily. It forces us to pay attention to the good things in life we might otherwise take for granted.

Another practice is verbal expression. We can say ‘thank you’ more often, express appreciation for others’ efforts and contributions, and acknowledge the good in people.

Furthermore, mindfulness and meditation can also cultivate gratitude. Through mindfulness, we learn to live in the moment to appreciate what we have here and now. Gratitude meditations and affirmations can also help instill a deep appreciation for life’s everyday gifts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gratitude is a transformative virtue that can reshape our experiences, relationships, and, ultimately, lives. It reminds us of the positive aspects of life, inspiring a sense of contentment, happiness, and optimism. Embracing gratitude means embracing the beauty in our lives, the beauty in others, and the beauty within ourselves. As we venture forth, may we all strive to cultivate this beautiful virtue and cherish its immeasurable gifts.

Gratitude Essay 5 (500 words)

Introduction

Throughout the annals of human existence, we have always sought to understand and cultivate the virtues that enhance our lives. Among them, one that shines brightly is gratitude – an attribute known to enrich our lives in multiple ways. This gratitude essay explores the concept of gratitude, its significance, and how we can incorporate it into our daily lives, particularly during our college years.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is more than the act of saying ‘thank you.’ It is an emotion, a profound acknowledgment of the goodness in our lives. It is the understanding that the positives we experience often come from external sources, other individuals, or the world around us. Gratitude encapsulates the recognition of our interconnectedness with these elements and the reciprocal nature of kindness and positivity.

Importance of Gratitude

The importance of gratitude cannot be understated. It profoundly affects various aspects of our lives – our mental health, relationships, productivity, and overall contentment.

Gratitude is a psychological immune system that protects us from stress and negative emotions. It bolsters our mental health, enhancing happiness, reducing depression, and fostering resilience in adversity. Gratitude helps us not just to cope but to thrive even during challenging times.

In relationships, gratitude is a powerful binding force. It nurtures connections, encourages empathy, and fosters mutual respect and appreciation. It helps us see others not as mere means to our ends but as valued individuals deserving of recognition and kindness.

Additionally, gratitude enhances our productivity and engagement in tasks. A thankful mindset can increase motivation, improve decision-making, and achieve greater success. Moreover, gratitude contributes to our physical well-being, with research indicating links to improved sleep, fewer physical ailments, and better cardiovascular health.

How to Practice Gratitude at College?

Practicing gratitude during college can significantly enhance this transformative phase of life. Here are some ways to do so:

• Gratitude Journal: Keep a journal to write down things you are thankful for each day. It could be as simple as a good grade, a helpful classmate, or a beautiful sunset. This practice helps to shift your focus from stressors to positive aspects.

• Express Appreciation: Don’t hesitate to thank your professors, classmates, and others who make a difference. Expressing gratitude enhances relationships and fosters a positive environment.

• Mindful Moments: Incorporate mindfulness into your routine. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the experiences you’re grateful for. This can be done during a quiet morning or before bed.

• Gratitude Meetings: Organize gratitude-sharing meetings with your friends or dorm-mates. Everyone can share what they’re thankful for, cultivating a culture of appreciation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gratitude is a transformative emotion that can profoundly enhance our quality of life. It allows us to appreciate the beauty in our world, others, and ourselves. Cultivating gratitude, especially during our college years, can foster an environment of positivity and shared joy. It empowers us to navigate life with an open heart, a thankful spirit, and a resilient mind. Indeed, gratitude is akin to embracing life in all its fullness and beauty.

Gratitude Essay 6 (600 words)

Gratitude is important nowadays, and religions teach its significance of it. Despite the importance of gratitude, there has been little research on it. Most research makes use of scenarios and self-appraisal, which have been discovered to restrict social desirability and have low psychological realism (Tsang, 2006). The experiment conducted addresses the restriction by putting together a laboratory induction, behavioral, and self-appraisal of gratitude.

Gratitude is depicted as a good social sentiment shown to other people or things. Tsang (2006) defines gratitude as a positive emotional reaction to the receipt of a benefit that is perceived to have resulted from the good intentions of another.’ (p. 139) Besides gratitude, indebtedness, a bad sentiment, might also be felt. Both gratitude and indebtedness will alert the person to either mirror the other party’s helpfulness, or not do anything in return.

Since most previous research was dependent on the usage of scenarios, they have several restrictions. Gratitude scenario studies may contain low psychological realism (Tsang, 2006). Participants who overthink scenarios might not feel grateful, and scenario research might leave studies open to social desirability confounds (Tsang, 2006). To tackle the restrictions, laboratory-induced gratitude could form real grateful behavior.

Past research overlooked comparing the voluntary effects of gratitude with the result of a good mood on helping. Positivity might cause voluntary behavior to increase, but gratitude is an other-oriented sentiment and might increase voluntary behavior by focusing attention on the need and deservingness of the benefactor (Tsang, 2006).

The experiment creates a laboratory induction of gratitude using a controlled group to differentiate the effects of gratitude with good mood. If gratitude is the motivating factor of voluntary behavior, participants who obtain favors should experience more gratitude and give more supplies to their partners than those who got the same outcome by chance.

There were 38 female American Psychology undergraduate students who participated in the experiment. The participants were then isolated in an enclosed laboratory cubicle and took part in 4 rounds of supply distribution tasks with a partner. The only way of communication is through note-passing. In actual fact, there were only 3 rounds, and the partner was fake. The participants were told that $10 would be distributed between both parties. In certain rounds, either the participants or their partners will be tasked to give supplies, while the supplies would be given arbitrarily for other rounds. The supplies were 10 pieces of green paper worth $1 each and will be exchanged for cash after completing the experiment. In the first round, everyone received $3 by chance, and their partner $7. In the second round, participants were arbitrarily sorted into favor or chance conditions. Those who are in the favor condition were given $9 by their partners, while the others got $9 by chance. In the third round, the participants were tasked to give supplies. Participants in the favor condition gave more supplies to their partners compared to those in the chance condition.

Through manipulation check, everyone knew if their results in the second round were due to their partners or to chance. The participants were more satisfied after the second round (Tsang, 2006). Participants in the chance condition gave a mean of $5.84 to their partners, while the others gave a mean of $7.38 (Tsang, 2006).

The data collected supported the voluntary nature of gratitude as the participants were more motivated by gratitude when they received a favor, compared to those who got the same outcome by chance. Those who were in the favor condition gave more supplies than those who received the outcome by chance. The results are consistent with the prediction that grateful feelings motivate people to act voluntarily toward their benefactor (Tsang, 2006).

A limitation of the current study is since the participants were questioned after their decisions, there is a chance that they gave post hoc explanations of their behavior.

Research on gratitude is still widespread and in its preliminary stage, and experiencing gratitude improves both psychological and physical well-being.

Gratitude Essay 1 (100 words)

Gratitude is the rare jewel that graces our lives with a warm glow, signifying our appreciation for the gifts we receive daily. An essential virtue is the magical thread that binds us to the universe and its many wonders. The purest form of acknowledgment, gratitude, can transform our outlook on life. This gratitude essay emphasizes the pivotal role of thankfulness in molding our character and outlook. It accentuates that gratitude is not merely an action but a feeling. This emotion resonates deeply within us, enabling us to appreciate the beauty around us and fostering a spirit of contentment within our hearts.

Gratitude Essay 2 (200 words)

Among humans’ various values, gratitude stands out as a profound emotion that enhances our perception of the world around us. It is a mental state that encourages positivity and contentment, making our lives more meaningful and rewarding. This gratitude essay delves into the depth of this powerful emotion, examining its effects on our well-being and daily experiences.

Gratitude is not just an ethical virtue; it is a practice that can shape our mental and emotional health. Countless studies confirm the correlation between gratitude and an increased sense of overall satisfaction and well-being. When we express gratitude, we acknowledge the goodness in our lives and often realize that the source lies partially outside ourselves, nurturing our bonds with others and our environment.

However, gratitude doesn’t always come naturally; it requires conscious effort. Recognizing the good in our lives can be challenging, particularly in times of hardship. Yet, during these moments, the practice of gratitude becomes essential. It helps us shift our focus from what we lack to the existing abundance.

Finally, gratitude encourages empathy and discourages negative emotions such as envy, resentment, and regret. By acknowledging our blessings, we open our hearts to the kindness and generosity embedded in the human spirit.

Gratitude Essay 3 (300 words)

Gratitude is often associated with expressing thanks, but its implications extend far beyond a mere acknowledgment of favors received. It represents a profound recognition of the interdependence we share with the world around us, the understanding that our success and well-being are tied to others and our environment. Through this gratitude essay, we will explore the multifaceted nature of gratitude and its impact on our mental health, relationships, and life satisfaction.

An integral component of many spiritual and philosophical teachings worldwide, gratitude encourages us to acknowledge the good in our lives and attribute it to forces beyond ourselves. This perspective can stimulate a profound shift in how we perceive our place in the world, transforming our experiences and relationships.

Scientifically, the practice of gratitude has been linked to numerous benefits. It contributes to greater happiness by encouraging positive emotions, relishing good experiences, and building strong relationships. Additionally, gratitude has been shown to reduce stress and depression, improving mental resilience and enabling individuals to navigate through life’s adversities. As we consciously focus on what we are grateful for, we train our minds to spot positivity, creating a cycle of positivity and gratitude.

Furthermore, gratitude has the power to improve relationships. Expressing gratitude to others makes us more empathetic, less aggressive, and more oriented toward socializing. It can enhance our connections, build trust, and foster mutual respect and appreciation. It allows us to recognize and affirm the value and worth of others in our lives, building a sense of belonging and community.

In essence, gratitude is not just a moral virtue but a key to a fulfilling and enriching life. It reminds us of the beauty and goodness surrounding us, empowering us to navigate through life with a heart full of joy, a mind full of appreciation, and a spirit full of contentment.

Gratitude Essay 4 (400 words)

Introduction

Gratitude, the quality of being thankful, has a much more profound significance than it’s often given credit for. It’s a deeply-rooted appreciation for kindness or benefits received and is considered a critical determinant of overall well-being. As we delve deeper into this gratitude essay, we aim to unwrap the essence of gratitude, its advantages, and ways to practice this life-altering virtue.

Advantages of Gratitude

Gratitude is a gateway to an abundance of benefits. On a personal level, it positively impacts our psychological health, reducing many toxic emotions ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Studies have shown that gratitude increases happiness and reduces depression.

Moreover, gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression, improving interpersonal relationships. When we express gratitude, we foster a sense of mutual respect and connection, leading to better friendships and social networks.

Gratitude also bolsters physical health. Those who regularly engage in the practice of expressing gratitude experience fewer aches and pains and have a greater overall feeling of health. It even positively affects our sleep patterns.

Finally, gratitude can play a significant role in our career growth. It can increase goal achievement, improve decision-making, and promote productivity. Gratitude essentially has a beneficial domino effect on our lives, changing a variety of facets of it and bringing about overall happiness.

How to Practice Gratitude

The practice of gratitude begins with developing a new perspective toward life. We can start by maintaining a gratitude journal, writing down the things we’re thankful for daily. It forces us to pay attention to the good things in life we might otherwise take for granted.

Another practice is verbal expression. We can say ‘thank you’ more often, express appreciation for others’ efforts and contributions, and acknowledge the good in people.

Furthermore, mindfulness and meditation can also cultivate gratitude. Through mindfulness, we learn to live in the moment to appreciate what we have here and now. Gratitude meditations and affirmations can also help instill a deep appreciation for life’s everyday gifts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gratitude is a transformative virtue that can reshape our experiences, relationships, and, ultimately, lives. It reminds us of the positive aspects of life, inspiring a sense of contentment, happiness, and optimism. Embracing gratitude means embracing the beauty in our lives, the beauty in others, and the beauty within ourselves. As we venture forth, may we all strive to cultivate this beautiful virtue and cherish its immeasurable gifts.

Gratitude Essay 5 (500 words)

Introduction

Throughout the annals of human existence, we have always sought to understand and cultivate the virtues that enhance our lives. Among them, one that shines brightly is gratitude – an attribute known to enrich our lives in multiple ways. This gratitude essay explores the concept of gratitude, its significance, and how we can incorporate it into our daily lives, particularly during our college years.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is more than the act of saying ‘thank you.’ It is an emotion, a profound acknowledgment of the goodness in our lives. It is the understanding that the positives we experience often come from external sources, other individuals, or the world around us. Gratitude encapsulates the recognition of our interconnectedness with these elements and the reciprocal nature of kindness and positivity.

Importance of Gratitude

The importance of gratitude cannot be understated. It profoundly affects various aspects of our lives – our mental health, relationships, productivity, and overall contentment.

Gratitude is a psychological immune system that protects us from stress and negative emotions. It bolsters our mental health, enhancing happiness, reducing depression, and fostering resilience in adversity. Gratitude helps us not just to cope but to thrive even during challenging times.

In relationships, gratitude is a powerful binding force. It nurtures connections, encourages empathy, and fosters mutual respect and appreciation. It helps us see others not as mere means to our ends but as valued individuals deserving of recognition and kindness.

Additionally, gratitude enhances our productivity and engagement in tasks. A thankful mindset can increase motivation, improve decision-making, and achieve greater success. Moreover, gratitude contributes to our physical well-being, with research indicating links to improved sleep, fewer physical ailments, and better cardiovascular health.

How to Practice Gratitude at College?

Practicing gratitude during college can significantly enhance this transformative phase of life. Here are some ways to do so:

• Gratitude Journal: Keep a journal to write down things you are thankful for each day. It could be as simple as a good grade, a helpful classmate, or a beautiful sunset. This practice helps to shift your focus from stressors to positive aspects.

• Express Appreciation: Don’t hesitate to thank your professors, classmates, and others who make a difference. Expressing gratitude enhances relationships and fosters a positive environment.

• Mindful Moments: Incorporate mindfulness into your routine. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the experiences you’re grateful for. This can be done during a quiet morning or before bed.

• Gratitude Meetings: Organize gratitude-sharing meetings with your friends or dorm-mates. Everyone can share what they’re thankful for, cultivating a culture of appreciation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gratitude is a transformative emotion that can profoundly enhance our quality of life. It allows us to appreciate the beauty in our world, others, and ourselves. Cultivating gratitude, especially during our college years, can foster an environment of positivity and shared joy. It empowers us to navigate life with an open heart, a thankful spirit, and a resilient mind. Indeed, gratitude is akin to embracing life in all its fullness and beauty.

Gratitude Essay 6 (600 words)

Gratitude is important nowadays, and religions teach its significance of it. Despite the importance of gratitude, there has been little research on it. Most research makes use of scenarios and self-appraisal, which have been discovered to restrict social desirability and have low psychological realism (Tsang, 2006). The experiment conducted addresses the restriction by putting together a laboratory induction, behavioral, and self-appraisal of gratitude.

Gratitude is depicted as a good social sentiment shown to other people or things. Tsang (2006) defines gratitude as a positive emotional reaction to the receipt of a benefit that is perceived to have resulted from the good intentions of another.’ (p. 139) Besides gratitude, indebtedness, a bad sentiment, might also be felt. Both gratitude and indebtedness will alert the person to either mirror the other party’s helpfulness, or not do anything in return.

Since most previous research was dependent on the usage of scenarios, they have several restrictions. Gratitude scenario studies may contain low psychological realism (Tsang, 2006). Participants who overthink scenarios might not feel grateful, and scenario research might leave studies open to social desirability confounds (Tsang, 2006). To tackle the restrictions, laboratory-induced gratitude could form real grateful behavior.

Past research overlooked comparing the voluntary effects of gratitude with the result of a good mood on helping. Positivity might cause voluntary behavior to increase, but gratitude is an other-oriented sentiment and might increase voluntary behavior by focusing attention on the need and deservingness of the benefactor (Tsang, 2006).

The experiment creates a laboratory induction of gratitude using a controlled group to differentiate the effects of gratitude with good mood. If gratitude is the motivating factor of voluntary behavior, participants who obtain favors should experience more gratitude and give more supplies to their partners than those who got the same outcome by chance.

There were 38 female American Psychology undergraduate students who participated in the experiment. The participants were then isolated in an enclosed laboratory cubicle and took part in 4 rounds of supply distribution tasks with a partner. The only way of communication is through note-passing. In actual fact, there were only 3 rounds, and the partner was fake. The participants were told that $10 would be distributed between both parties. In certain rounds, either the participants or their partners will be tasked to give supplies, while the supplies would be given arbitrarily for other rounds. The supplies were 10 pieces of green paper worth $1 each and will be exchanged for cash after completing the experiment. In the first round, everyone received $3 by chance, and their partner $7. In the second round, participants were arbitrarily sorted into favor or chance conditions. Those who are in the favor condition were given $9 by their partners, while the others got $9 by chance. In the third round, the participants were tasked to give supplies. Participants in the favor condition gave more supplies to their partners compared to those in the chance condition.

Through manipulation check, everyone knew if their results in the second round were due to their partners or to chance. The participants were more satisfied after the second round (Tsang, 2006). Participants in the chance condition gave a mean of $5.84 to their partners, while the others gave a mean of $7.38 (Tsang, 2006).

The data collected supported the voluntary nature of gratitude as the participants were more motivated by gratitude when they received a favor, compared to those who got the same outcome by chance. Those who were in the favor condition gave more supplies than those who received the outcome by chance. The results are consistent with the prediction that grateful feelings motivate people to act voluntarily toward their benefactor (Tsang, 2006).

A limitation of the current study is since the participants were questioned after their decisions, there is a chance that they gave post hoc explanations of their behavior.

Research on gratitude is still widespread and in its preliminary stage, and experiencing gratitude improves both psychological and physical well-being.