title: The grateful disposition: a conceptual and empirical topography.
abstract: In four studies, the authors examined the correlates of the disposition toward gratitude. Study I revealed that self-ratings and observer ratings of the grateful disposition are associated with positive affect and well-being, prosocial behaviors and traits, and religiousness/spirituality. Study 2 replicated these findings in a large nonstudent sample. Study 3 yielded similar results to Studies I and 2 and provided evidence that gratitude is negatively associated with envy and materialistic attitudes. Study 4 yielded evidence that these associations persist after controlling for Extraversion/positive affectivity. Neuroticism/negative affectivity, and Agreeableness. The development of the Gratitude Questionnaire, a unidimensional measure with good psychometric properties, is also described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275-0442, USA. mikem@mail.smu.edu
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mccullough
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Emmons
authors.forename: Jo-Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tsang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D019348:Empiricism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior