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A social-cognitive model of trait and state levels of gratitude.

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Wood, Alexander Mathew, Stewart, Neil, Linley, Alex P., Joseph, Stephen and Maltby, John. (2008) A social-cognitive model of trait and state levels of gratitude. Emotion, Vol.8 (No.2). pp. 281-290. ISSN 1528-3542

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.8.2.281

Abstract

Three studies tested a new model of gratitude, which specified the generative mechanisms linking individual differences (trait gratitude) and objective situations with the amount of gratitude people experience after receiving aid (state gratitude). In Study 1, all participants (N = 253) read identical vignettes describing a situation in which they received help. People higher in trait gratitude made more positive beneficial appraisals (seeing the help as more valuable, more costly to provide, and more altruistically intended), which fully mediated the relationship between trait and state levels of gratitude. Study 2 (N = 113) replicated the findings using a daily process study in which participants reported on real events each day for up to14 days. In Study 3, participants (N = 200) read vignettes experimentally manipulating objective situations to be either high or low in benefit. Benefit appraisals were shown to have a causal effect on state gratitude and to mediate the relationship between different prosocial situations and state gratitude. The 3 studies demonstrate the critical role of benefit appraisals in linking state gratitude with trait gratitude and the objective situation.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics

Divisions:

Faculty of Science > Psychology

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Gratitude, Attitude (Psychology) -- Testing, Conduct of life, Attribution (Social psychology) -- Testing

Journal or Publication Title:

Emotion

Publisher:

American Psychological Association

ISSN:

1528-3542

Official Date:

April 2008

Dates:

Date	Event
April 2008	Published

Volume:

Vol.8

Number:

No.2

Number of Pages:

Page Range:

pp. 281-290

Identification Number:

10.1037/1528-3542.8.2.281

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Open Access

Funder:

University of Warwick

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