Abstract
In this chapter I describe the antecedents of gratitude. Specifically, I review the causes of grateful emotion. I consider common activating events of gratitude, followed by a more extensive exploration of the cognitive antecedents of gratitude. Appraisals that lead to grateful emotion are characterized by four general themes. In order for one to experience gratitude one must first recognize that a gift has indeed occurred. Second, when one recognizes the goodness of the gift, this enhances gratitude. Recognizing the goodness of the giver has also been shown to increase the likelihood of experiencing gratitude. Fourth, when one recognizes the gratuitousness of the gift, gratitude is likely to ensue; the more a benefit exceeds one’s social expectations, the more one is likely to experience gratitude. I also explore several other cognitive conditions that seem to promote gratitude, such as mental subtraction, and the appreciation of beauty. I conclude the chapter by describing several successful methods that have been used to induce gratitude in the lab. Understanding the causes of gratitude is crucial to developing effective methods for enhancing gratitude.
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
–G. K. Chesterton
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Watkins, P.C. (2014). What Causes Gratitude?. In: Gratitude and the Good Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7253-3_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7253-3_3
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