Work

Beyond reciprocity: Gratitude and relationships in everyday life.

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: The emotion of gratitude is thought to have social effects, but empirical studies of such effects have focused largely on the repaying of kind gestures. The current research focused on the relational antecedents of gratitude and its implications for relationship formation. The authors examined the role of naturally occurring gratitude in college sororities during a week of gift-giving from older members to new members. New members recorded reactions to benefits received during the week. At the end of the week and 1 month later, the new and old members rated their interactions and their relationships. Perceptions of benefactor responsiveness predicted gratitude for benefits, and gratitude during the week predicted future relationship outcomes. Gratitude may function to promote relationship formation and maintenance.

Source: Emotion

DOI: 10.1037/1528-3542.8.3.425

Authors: Sara B. Algoe, Jonathan Haidt, Shelly L. Gable

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, University of California, Santa Barbara

Language: English

Topic: Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health

Awards: CAREER: Regulation of Interpersonal Incentives and Threats, Emotion in Relationships, Biobehavioral Issues in Physical and Mental Health