Abstract
In this chapter I describe several theories of gratitude that help organize the research that has been reviewed in this book. I first review McCullough and colleagues (Psychol Bull 127:249–266, 2001) moral affect theory of gratitude, which I think effectively explains the essential nature of gratitude. I then move on to discussing theories that explain the causes of gratitude, and here I focus on the social-cognitive model of Wood et al. (Emotion 8:281–290, 2008). Theories that attempt to explain how gratitude enhances well-being are explored. Fredrickson (Gratitude, like other positive emotions, broadens and builds. In: Emmons RA, McCullough ME (eds) The psychology of gratitude. Oxford Press, New York, pp 145–166, 2004) has applied her broaden and build theory of positive emotions to gratitude, and I explain how her approach effectively explains how gratitude enhances personal resources. I then move on to the find-remind-and-bind theory of Algoe (Soc Pers Psychol Compass 6:455–469, 2012), which explains how gratitude enhances social well-being. Finally I introduce my amplification theory of gratitude; I argue that gratitude is important to the good life because it amplifies the good in one’s life.
The test of all happiness is gratitude.
–G. K. Chesterton
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Watkins, P.C. (2014). Conclusion: Explaining Gratitude. In: Gratitude and the Good Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7253-3_14
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