Count Your Blessings: A Gratitude Experiment

In the past few decades, psychological scientists have studied gratitude along with other virtues as part of the broad field known as positive psychology, which focuses on well-being in contrast to studies of mental disorders. Expressing gratitude is one of those classic virtues encouraged in many cultures.

Short Summary

Two psychological scientists studied the effects of expressing gratitude over a period of 10 weeks. Those in the gratitude group felt better and had fewer health symptoms than those in other groups.

The Experiment

In 2003, two psychological scientists published the results of several studies. Robert Emmons of the University of California, Davis and Michael McCullough of the University of Miami assigned volunteers to one of three groups, which the research team called Gratitude, Hassles, and Events. The study required 10 weekly reports. Here’s what the scientists told each group.

Gratitude group

The gratitude group were asked to think about their past week and list as many as five things that they were thankful for. Some were thankful for their parents, others for a music group, and others expressed thanks to God.

Hassles group

The researchers explained that hassles were those things in life that irritate us at home, school, work and so forth. They were asked to think about their day and list up to five hassles. For example, one listed a “horrible test” and another noted “stupid people driving.”

Events group

The volunteers in the events group were asked to list five events that had an impact on them in the past week. One cleaned a closet and another listed a flight. Overall, 40% listed pleasant events, 30% unpleasant, and the rest were rated as neutral.

Assessment

Each week, the researchers asked the volunteers to rate their mood and health. They collected comments about their feelings and a range of physical symptoms like pain and upset stomach. Other questions asked how they responded to any help they received and their overall wellbeing.

The Results

After creating a measure of gratitude from all the data collected, they compared the ratings for the groups using a one-way ANOVA. The high score obtained by the gratitude writing group was significantly higher than for those in the hassles group but not more than those in the events group.

Feelings: The groups were not significantly different on their ratings of positive or negative feelings.

Wellbeing: The gratitude group had significantly higher ratings.

Expectations: The gratitude group had significantly higher ratings.

Physical health

Symptoms: The gratitude group reported significantly fewer symptoms.

Exercise: The gratitude group spent much more time exercising than those in the hassle group.

Response to help: Those who reported grateful responses to receiving help also reported higher overall wellbeing.

Read more about gratitude and other virtues in Living Well: 10 Big Ideas of Faith and a Meaningful Life. Buy on AMAZON

Reference

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: Experimental studies of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 377-389. [See study one.]

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