GRATITUDE
(Froh, Miller, and Snyder, 2007).
The word gratitude is derived from the
Latin gratia, meaning favor, and gratus, meaning
pleasing. All derivatives from this Latin root "have
to do with kindness, generousness, gifts, the
beauty of giving and receiving, or getting.
Gratitude is known as a generally positive
emotional state, a durable affective trait, a moral
experience, and a signature character strength.
GRATITUDE AS AN EMOTION
1. Ben-Ze'ev (2000) referred to gratitude as a
"short-term state," reflecting a
praiseworthiness of another's actions. It is
clear from these conceptualizations that
gratitude is a complex state that belongs to
the category of affectivecognitive conditions
(Ortony, Clore, &
2. Lazarus and Lazarus (1994) argued that
gratitude is one of the "empathic emotions"
whose roots lie in the capacity to empathize
with others. The core relational theme
associated with gratitude is recognition or
appreciation of an altruistic gift.
3. As an emotion, gratitude is an attribution-
dependent state (Weiner, 1985) that results
from a two-step cognitive process: (a)
recognizing that one has obtained a positive
outcome and (b) recognizing that there is an
external source for this positive outcome
Gratitude as a Learned Trait
Researchers have investigated whether
gratitude is a genetic disposition or learned trait.
Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, and Schkade (2005) argue
that 50% of one's tendency toward happiness is
related to one's genetic set point, 10% to
circumstance, and 40% to intentional activity.
Psychologists have identified a group of intentional
activities, called "gratitude practices," that can be
used to strengthen one's level of happiness or
gratitude.
When people intentionally chose to
engage in gratitude practices, researchers have
found that practitioners experienced an overall
enhanced sense of well-being (Emmons &
McCoullough, 2003). Though gratitude might not
come naturally to some people, it can be learned
with a certain level of introspection and reflection
For example, researchers found that
participants who daily recounted blessings were
training their brains with cognitive habits which
amplified the good in their lives (Watkins et al,
2014). It appears that gratitude can be cultivated
with intentional practice.
Fitzgerald (1998) identified three components of
gratitude: (1) warm sense of appreciation for
somebody or something, (2)a sense of goodwill
toward that person or thing, and (3) a disposition
to act that flows from appreciation and goodwill.
The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
• Feeling Good
o Improves Health: Reduces stress,
improves sleep quality, and builds
emotional awareness (Seligman et al.,
2005).
o Positive Affect: Less likely to experience
depressive symptoms and increases
resiliency (Salces-Cubero et al., 2019).
o Social Well-Being: Increased sense of
belonging to social group (Diebel et al .,
2016).
o Emotional Well-Being: Positive correlation
between gratitude and positive emotional
states. (Emmons & Mccullough, 2003).
• Doing Good
o Social Belonging: Improves interpersonal
relationships with others.
o Prosocial Behavior: Acts as a "moral
barometer," motivates and reinforces
prosocial behavior. (Mccullough et al,
2001).
According to Dr. Robert Emmons, the feeling of
gratitude involves two stages (Emmons &
Mccullough, 2003):
A. First comes the acknowledgment of goodness
in one's life. In a state of gratitude, we say yes
to life. We affirm that, all in all, life is good and
has elements that make it worth living. The
acknowledgment that we have received
something gratifies us, both by its presence
and by the effort the giver put into choosing it.
B. Second, gratitude is recognizing that sources
of this goodness lie outside the self. One can
 be grateful to our creator, other people,
animals, and the world, but not to oneself. At
this stage, we recognize the goodness in our
lives and who to thank for it.
The two stages of gratitude comprise the
recognition of the goodness in our lives and then
how this goodness came to us. Through this
process, we recognize the fortune of everything
that improves our lives and ourselves.
GRATITUDE AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Positive psychology focuses on positive
thoughts and behaviors. Its constructs include
optimism, hope, and, gratitude (Iodice et al., 2021).
Robert Emmons has led positive
psychology's expansion of research on the
importance of gratitude. Emmons has authored
several papers on the psychology of gratitude,
showing that being more grateful can lead to
increased levels of wellbeing (Emmons & Crumpler,
2000). His work has also specifically dealt with
gratitude in a religious setting, highlighting how
gratitude towards a higher power may lead to
increased physical health (Krause et al., 2015).
IMPORTANCE OF GRATITUDE IN LIFE
A. Since gratitude has, for many, been replaced
by disappointment, anger, and resentment
when these expected 'blessings' either do
not appear or they disappear (Passmore &
Oades, 2016, p. 43). We have learned
gratitude helps people focus on the positive
aspects of their life. Gratitude can help build
and maintain relationships with others,
resulting in hope, life satisfaction, and more
proactive behaviors toward others
(Passmore & Oades, 2016).
B. Gratitude is strongly related to wellbeing
(Jans-Beken et al ., 2020; Wood et al ., 2010).
The positive effects of experiencing and
expressing gratitude are endless. Gratitude
has been found to be beneficially associated
with social wellbeing, emotional wellbeing,
and psychological well-being (Jans-Beken et
al., 2020). It is no surprise that trait gratitude
is an important "predictor of well-being and
other desirable life outcomes" (Portocarrero
et al ., 2020, p. 6).
C. Gratitude appears to have a domino effect.
If a person experiences gratitude, they are
more likely to recognize the help and then
later reciprocate that help (Wood et al.,
2010). People who are thanked are
presumably more apt to extend help to
others in the future. Likewise, people who
are not thanked may not be expected to
provide reciprocation in the future. The
expression of gratitude is beneficial for both
individuals and society (Bono et al., 2004).
RESEARCH FINDINGS:
A. In a review of the literature, Cregg and
Cheavens (2021) found that gratitude has a
positive affiliation with positive affect, life
satisfaction, extraversion, forgiveness, and a
negative affiliation with substance abuse and
neuroticism, as well as an inverse
relationship between gratitude and anxiety
and depression.
B. Based on clinical observations, McWilliams
and Lependorf (1990; see also Pruyser, 1976)
noted that narcissistic people are incapable
of experiencing and expressing sincere
gratitude. A core issue for narcissistic people
is their slavish adherence to self-sufficiency.
Expressions of gratitude are
acknowledgments that one is dependent on
other people for one's well-being, and
therefore not self-sufficient. Given this reality,
such individuals find expressions of gratitude
to be highly unpleasant. Furthermore,
because narcissistic individuals possess a
distorted sense of their own superiority, they
might be reluctant to express gratitude in
response to benefactors whose generosity or
kindness they summarily dismiss as little more
than an attempt to curry favor.
WHAT EXACTLY IS GRATITUDE, AND HOW CAN WE
EXPERIENCE MORE OF IT DAILY?
Gratitude is the act of recognizing and
acknowledging the good things that happen,
resulting in a state of appreciation (Sansone &
Sansone, 2010).
Often when we consider what we are
grateful for, overt and profound life experiences,
circumstances, and events come to mind. We may
feel grateful for our upbringing, family, job, good
health, and the opportunity to gain an education.
While recognizing and being grateful for these
experiences is important, our gratitude practice
must also venture below the surface.

Below the surface, we find the simple,

everyday pleasures that often go unnoticed. This
may be a great book we read, laughter with a friend,
or even the joy of eating ice cream in the sunshine.
Whatever these simple pleasures may be,
consciously expressing our gratitude for them can
help us grow our daily gratitude practice beyond
the surface level.

GRATITUDE, WHY IT MATTERS?

A. Brain research shows that positive emotions
are good for our bodies, minds, and brains.
B. Positive emotions balance out negative
emotions. People who often feel grateful and
appreciative are happier and less stressed.
C. When we are grumpy, gratitude helps us
remember the good things in our life.
D. Gratitude can lead to positive actions. When
we feel grateful for kindness toward us, we
may be more likely to do a kindness in return.

Steve Maraboli said, "If you want to find happiness,

find gratitude"