Social psychology

Extraversion and introversion

Developmental psychology

Agreeableness

Big Five personality traits

Psychology

Prosocial behavior

Disposition

Positive affectivity

Gratitude

Neuroticism

Personality

Negative affectivity

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

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.

The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography.