Parent of the Virtues?

The Prosocial Contours of Gratitude

Michael McCullough, Jo Ann Tsang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter describes the prosocial basis of gratitude by identifying three distinct functions of grateful emotions. It suggests that gratitude functions as a moral reinforcer, a moral motive and a moral barometer. Many scholars in the field of humanities have associated gratitude with morality and prosocial behavior and Cicero even called it the parent of the virtues. An analysis of social scientific research highlights the importance of gratitude as a social resource that is well worth understanding for the development of a society based on goodwill.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Psychology of Gratitude
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Print)9780199847389, 0195150104, 9780195150100
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 22 2012

Fingerprint

Gratitude
Morality
Cicero
Resources
Emotion
Prosocial Behavior

Keywords

  • Cicero
  • Emotions
  • Goodwill
  • Gratitude
  • Humanities
  • Morality
  • Prosocial behavior
  • Virtues

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities(all)

Cite this

Parent of the Virtues? The Prosocial Contours of Gratitude. / McCullough, Michael; Tsang, Jo Ann.

The Psychology of Gratitude. Oxford University Press, 2012.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

McCullough, M & Tsang, JA 2012, Parent of the Virtues? The Prosocial Contours of Gratitude. in The Psychology of Gratitude. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195150100.003.0007
McCullough M, Tsang JA. Parent of the Virtues? The Prosocial Contours of Gratitude. In The Psychology of Gratitude. Oxford University Press. 2012 https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195150100.003.0007
McCullough, Michael ; Tsang, Jo Ann. / Parent of the Virtues? The Prosocial Contours of Gratitude. The Psychology of Gratitude. Oxford University Press, 2012.
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