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

Abstract

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

Threats or Opportunities That Undermine or Facilitate First-Year University Students’ Levels of Academic Self-Efficacy

“…The conditional indirect effect of gratitude at T1 on ASE at T2 through IM at T2 was statistically significant at each level of the moderator because the confidence interval did not contain a zero. These results agree with other studies that have focused on how gratitude expressions, and their effects on prosocial attitudes, increase self-efficacy, and a desire to feel competent (Walsh, et al, 2022). Experiencing gratitude stimulates people to engage in positive actions that benefit themselves and everyone (Armenta, et al, 2017).…”

“…Several researchers have pointed out that gratitude provokes people to focus on the positive aspects of their lives (Emmons, et al, 2019). This appreciation is intrinsically pleasant and leads to IM and joy, which relates to positive emotions (McCullough, et al, 2001;Walsh, et al, 2022), cooperative actions, and reciprocation (Stellar, et al, 2017). Then, grateful individuals feel a sincere intrinsic interest in the action itself Stellar, et al, 2017).…”

“…Besides, when people are thanked for their prosocial actions, they feel valued and appreciated (Froh, et al, 2010). When this occurs, it generates high levels of self-efficacy (Walsh, et al, 2022), an essential human motivation to feel competent and successful at attaining specific goals (Bandura, 1977;.…”

What is the Optimal Way to Give Thanks? Comparing the Effects of Gratitude Expressed Privately, One-to-One via Text, or Publicly on Social Media

“…Research supports this theory, as couples prompted to express gratitude to one another often report increases in positive feelings and relationship satisfaction (Algoe et al, 2013;Algoe et al, 2016;Algoe & Zhaoyang, 2015). Additional studies show that gratitude letter interventions can improve general feelings of closeness and social connection (Armenta et al, 2022;Boehm et al, 2011;Layous et al, 2017;Regan et al, 2022;Walsh, Armenta et al, 2022Wood et al, 2008).…”

“…Gratitude letter interventions also impact other outcomes relatively reliably, such as elevation (Armenta et al, 2022;Layous et al, 2017;Regan et al, 2022;Walsh, Armenta et al, 2022, which is characterized by feeling moved, uplifted, and optimistic about humanity (Haidt, 2003;Schnall et al, 2010). Gratitude has also been shown to prompt negative socially oriented feelings, such as guilt, shame, embarrassment, discomfort, and indebtedness (Armenta et al, 2022;Layous et al, 2017;Regan et al, 2022;Walsh, Armenta et al, 2022.…”