Gratitude appears related to a wide range of social outcomes, and positive relationships. Gratitude is related to perceived quality of relationships through self-report (Wood, Maltby, & Gillett et al., 2008). Gratitude relates to willingness to forgive (DeShea, 2003), which is associated with the absence of psychopathological traits (Maltby et al., 2008), and is integral to positive functioning (Maltby, Day, & Barber, 2004). Gratitude relates to low narcissism (Farwell & Wohlwend-Lloyd, 1998), and early adolescents also reported greater perceived peer and family support (Froh, Kashdan et al., 2009; Froh, Yurkewicz et al., 2009). Gratitude seems to strengthen relationships and promote relationship formation and maintenance (Algoe et al., 2008), …show more content…
In two longitudinal studies (Wood, Maltby, Gillett et al., 2008), gratitude was assessed in first year undergraduate students starting university, at the start and ends of their first term, approximately 3 months apart. This period is known to be a life transition with varying implications for well-being, with some people finding the experience excellent, and others stressful and depressing ( Brissette, Scheier, & Carver, 2002). Additionally, although gratitude did not change in this short period of time, this should not be taken as evidence that gratitude cannot change. Rather, it may be that individual differences in gratitude represent stable phenomena, like schematic processing, or stable beliefs about the word, which lead trait gratitude towards tending to remain quite stable. At first sight there is strong empirical support for the set-point theory, happiness tending to be stable over time. Follow-up of individuals show little change in happiness from one year to another and if changes occur, these are typically short lived. Trend analysis of average happiness in nations shows also much stability. Yet at a closer look we see also change. Long-term follow-up of individuals reveals considerable mobility along the life-satisfaction ladder in modern society, over a lifetime only 30% of the original rank order in happiness will be left. Follow-up studies have also shown that at …show more content…
If gratitude is strongly related to well-being, and there is an indication that this relationship may be unique and causal. Gratitude interventions have commonly been highlighted as a key success of the positive psychology movement (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005), and as an especially clinically relevant technique (Seligman et al., 2006). There have now been 12 published evaluations of gratitude interventions evaluated across a range of clinically relevant outcomes. These interventions have can be classed into three categories daily listing of things for which to be grateful, grateful contemplation, and behavioral expressions of gratitude. Of the gratitude interventions, this approach has been studied the most, being used in 7 out of the 12 gratitude intervention studies. This technique has particular potential to be used in clinical settings, due to the easy nature of the technique, and the speed with which it can be completed. Participants often report that the technique is enjoyable and self-reinforcing, choosing to continue the exercise even after the ending of the intervention (Seligman,
Gratitude is a gift that the earth urgently needs. Consistent gratitude is a form of recognition of the gift and the giver. Daily gratitude can help eliminate the need for more and practicing more of only what we need. Gratitude leads to a society of contentment rather than one that's always in need of more. We human individuals have conventions for appreciation; we apply them formally to each other. We say thank you. “We understand that receiving a gift
Ryan, Richard M., and Edward L. Deci. "On Happiness and Human Potentials: A Review of
Analysis of the article, How to increase and sustain positive emotion: The effects of expressing gratitude and visualizing best possible selves by Kennon M. Sheldon and Sonja Lyubomirsky.
Its practice has been seen to be efficacious in healing and improving the quality of life of many people. Whether in terms of enhancing mental health or preventing illness, gratitude is one of life’s vitalizing ingredients. Clinical trials indicate that the practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting positive effects on a person’s life. It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, promote happiness and well being, and spur acts of helpfulness, generosity and cooperation (Emmons & Stern, 2013). Emmons and Stern (2013) from their experiments, assert that gratitude has one of the strongest links to mental health and life satisfaction in any personality trait, more so than even optimism hope or compassion. They maintain that people who experience gratitude can cope more effectively with everyday stress, show increased resilience in the face of trauma-induced stress, recover more quickly from illness, and enjoy more robust physical health.
looking forward to, it will change my outlook on the day. According to studies “gratitude can
Mental wellness is more than the mere absence of mental illness. Mental wellness encompasses positive affect, life satisfaction, psychological and social well-being. (Mitchell, 2011) Seligman postulates that happiness is determined by a combination of set range(50%), intentional activities(40%) and circumstances(10%). (Mitchell, 2011) This show that Amanda can increase her happiness intentionally by as much as 40%. Activity like keeping a gratitude journal can promote happiness. The habit could again be encourage with motivational interviewing (Rollnick and Miller, 1995) and SMART goal
Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, and author of Nicomachean Ethics, presented his theory of happiness which incorporates major ideas controversial to many. To Aristotle, happiness is not a temporary state mind, but rather, a long term goal, and in effort for humans to achieve this goal, we need to have good morals, or as he states, “complete virtue.” Haidt, author of The Happiness Hypothesis, presents two ideas himself: the attachment theory and the adaptation principle. They both offer two different views which validate and refute Aristotle’s theory of happiness. Finally, Sigmund Freud’s “Civilization and its Discontents” presents the idea that society has tarnished the human being in irreversible ways. From these texts, it is clear that the attachment theory is accommodated by the Aristotelian envision of happiness since it complies with his idea that social attachments are necessary to be fully happy. However it is also evident that the adaptation principle as well as Freud’s “Civilization and its Discontents” pose a problem for Aristotle since they refute his theory of happiness by rejecting this same idea that societal influence brings happiness.
When people have gratitude it makes ths country a better place. The people of this country could be caring, or helpful, and our country suffers from the selfish people in it. Gratitude makes a person an American, because they show respect to each and every person they meet and will meet in the future. They have the caring ways to help their friends, and family out at anytime. Gratitude is a trait that should be in any American citizen, because it shows the people of this country that it could be a better place if people would start treating others with kindness. The truth is, as I was growing up, I didn’t see much kindness in the world. People were treating others lousy, worthless, and, horrid. If more people had gratitude ther would be less murders, more love, and so much more faith in the world. Today we see people die, and are used to it. We hear about attacks and absolutely do nothing for the people that need it. Obviously, we need to find more of this stuff called
Finding the level of ultimate contentment and life satisfaction can be challenging, but the perception of situations or powerful social connections strengthens the level of happiness within a person. Topic Significance: In recent years, the rate of depression in young adults has increased as people struggle to find the meaning of happiness and how they can achieve happiness. As people continue throughout their life, it is important to recognize what makes them happy.
Although changing some factors, such as attitude and money, is believed to have a major effect on an individual’s happiness, other factors like social class have a larger impact.
The quote, “There is always, always, always, sorting to be thankful for,” can mean many things. I believe this quote means that no matter what your circumstances there is always something we can be gracious for. My life is pretty good. There are many families that have it worse than I do. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and food on the table.
Suppose one was to record their pleasures down on paper using a graph. At first, one might be confused as to how to go about quantifying their happiness. After consideration of the quality of ones varying pleasures though, one is more able to deduce whether it is a higher or a lower pleasure and graph them. This enables one to distinguish which things promote the greatest pleasure, which translates itself to strive for happiness. For example, consider the attainment of food or sex in contrast to mental and spiritual growth. When one is only interested in satiating their appetite for food or sex, the pleasure acquired is minuscule when compared to the acquisition of mental and spiritual growth. Thus, attaining mental and spiritual growth will bring o...
...s thank you to others makes them incredibly happy. We also must express gratitude for ordinary things such as a beautiful blue sky during the daytime or sparkling stars at night. Get in the habit of finding at least 10 things to be grateful for each day to increase your happiness level.
Throughout history, philosophers and scientists of various kinds have been trying to define happiness, identify its causes and the obstacles to reaching it. According to Jon Gertner, psychologist Gilbert and economist Loewenstein have succeeded in pointing out several reasons why people are unhappy (pp: 444-6). It is important to note that according to Gilbert, it is not that people cannot g...
Mehner, Shannon. “Kindness is Contagious, New Study Finds.” Science in Society. Northwestern University, 21 April. 2010. Web. 16 October. 2013.