Gratitude and Relationship Satisfaction Essay - 1021 Words

Gratitude is omnipresent in society. People express gratitude in the form of gifts, favors, support and assistance. Empirical literature on the emotion has shown gratitude to promote feelings of contentment (Walker Pitts, 1998) hope, happiness, and pride (Overwalle, Mervielde, De Schuyter, 1995). However, what about relationship satisfaction? Specifically, can expressing gratitude verbally enhance perceived relationship satisfaction in close relationships? Gratitude has been referred to as â€Å"the moral memory of mankind,† and if suddenly eliminated, â€Å"society would break apart† (Simmel, 1950, p. 388). Vast literature on gratitude has defined and explored its contours, and extensive research documents main effects. Majority of†¦show more content†¦Specifically, researchers selected distinct variables, and investigated how perceptions of that variable changed in donors and recipients, after gratitude expression. In a 2010 investigation, Lambert et a l. concentrated on the variable of communal strength. After expressing gratitude to a partner, donors perceptions of communal strength in the relationship was reported higher than prior to expression. Studies also examined perceptions on physical health (Emmons McCullough, 2003), and life satisfaction after gratitude expression (Lambert, Fincham, Stillman, Dean, 2009). Although gratitude is commonly expressed in society, the degree of achievement of appreciation is often mistaken or overlooked. Research reports the act of gratitude to have worked successfully when an â€Å"interpersonal interaction† forms between the donor and recipient (Lazarus Lazarus, 1994). This occurs when recipients sense positive intentions from donors, and donors sense the needs of recipients. It is only after recipients truly appreciate the efforts made by donors, that the interpersonal interaction is strengthened, and a change in behavior is possible in both partners. If recipients are indiffe rent or not powerfully moved by the displayed acts of appreciation, the interpersonal interaction fails to form, or is weakened, and each partner remains fixed in his or her current psychological state. At this point, behaviorShow MoreRelatedThe World That Helps People Of All Backgrounds1451 Words   |  6 Pagesthrough gratitude. Gratitude has been regarded as universally valuable, tracing back to the beginning of time. Ever since the 1930s researchers have tried to measure how effectively gratitude helps people of all backgrounds (Bono, Emmons, McCullough, 2004). Cultures define gratitude based on the way they perceive it. Western society regards gratitude as something that is needed during certain times, while poorer societies might rely on gratitude to help them survive. Although gratitude has differentRead MoreThe Impact Of Gratitude On Wellbeing1596 Words   |  7 PagesThe Impact of Gratitude on Wellbeing In a world that seeks answers to everything, people strive for perfection by working on their strengths and weaknesses. With technological advantages, people aim to live as long as possible with optimal functioning in the body and mind. It has been a goal of human existence to maintain ourselves in any way we can. One way this is done is through gratitude, which has been regarded as universally valuable, tracing back to the beginning of time. Ever since the 1930sRead MoreStrengths And Weaknesses Of The Cs Literature1477 Words   |  6 Pagesa wide variety of studies, this review will focus on the two major themes which have emerged repeatedly throughout the literature that has been reviewed. These themes are: the relationship of certain CS to wellbeing (WB) and the relationship of CS with happiness. This study will explore previous research and the relationship of certain CS, WB and happiness and help further explore the knowledge about CS. Peterson and Seligman (2004) introduced the Character Strengths and Virtues: A HandbookRead MoreThe New Psychology Field Of Positive Psychology928 Words   |  4 Pagesengagement and meaning in their life. Many Positive Psychologist use Gratitude Practice as a method of therapy to aid individuals with a wealth of positive constructs. Before looking into Gratitude Practice it is important to begin the research by taking a look at what Positive psychology is. Positive Psychology is a newer field in Psychology focused on the study of the strengths that enable humans and organizations to flourish. Gratitude Practice can help individuals become more optimistic and live healthierRead MoreThe Online Survey Generator Qualtrics1227 Words   |  5 Pagesadapted version of the PSS used can be found in Appendix C. The Gratitude Adjectives Checklist (GAC) (Mccullough, Emmons, Tsang, 2002) was used to measure state gratitude. The GAC can be found in Appendix D. Gratitude was operationalized by informing participants they would be assigned to one of two conditions where one condition was less desirable than the other and giving the participants the more desirable condition. The high gratitude condition was informed they would either be assigned to watchRead MoreA Review of Employee Training and Development1059 Words   |  5 Pagesorganization willing to make the bold move toward provided the kind of high quality training that is becoming standard to be a cutting edge industry leader. The benefits organizations are seeking for their employees are organizational commitment, job satisfaction and low turnover. The emphasis and value an organization places on how much and the quality of training it gives its people is the most important factor in regards to organizational training. If the organization on a whole doesnt see the potentialRead MorePositive Interventions: A Comparison of Increased Happiness Resulting from Completing Actions Involving Kindness and Gratitude725 Words   |  3 Pagesmore from positive psychological interventions, such as acts of kindness and activities involving gratitude. Previous work shows that performing both of these activities can positively affect well-being. Emmons and McCollough (2003) identify increases in positive affect and decreases in negative affect through gratitude listing. Buchanan and Bardi (2010) find support for increases in life satisfaction and well-being from performing acts of kindness. However, clear evidence in support of greaterRead MoreFactors That Affect A Happy Relationship959 Words   |  4 Pageshead: FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP 1 Factors that Contribute to a Happy Relationship Stephanie Bartlett Psych 3- Fall 2015 College of the Redwoods FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP 2 By focusing on what factors contribute to making our relationships happy and healthy, rather than what goes wrong in them, we can try to improve our current relationships and prepare for future relationships. In this research paper, I am going to applyRead MorePsychology : Positive And Negative Psychology955 Words   |  4 Pagescriteria that providers are required to follow, positive psychology and the interventions it can provide have five different divisions: â€Å"1) savoring experiences and sensations, 2) cultivating (and sometimes expressing) gratitude, 3) engaging in kind acts, 4) promoting positive relationship processes, and 5) pursuing hope and meaning† (Schueller Parks, 2014). In positive psychology when one is savoring the moment they focus on positive events of the present and try to increase, strengthen, or extendRead MoreThe Healthful Benefits of Gratitude Essay example1283 Words   |  6 PagesGratitude has become defined as deeply appreciative attitude for kindnesses or benefits acquired. Several parts of gratitude have been identified. First, a person experiences a warm sense of appreciation toward an individual who performs a generous or desired kind act. Second, appreciation and kindness are expressed toward the person who completed the desired act. Finally, the person to whom appreciation is expressed, sensing the goodwill, is inclined to act positively and/or appreciatively toward