Regulatory focus-prevention-focus or promotion-focus - plays a key role in how beneficiaries respond to benefits and benefactors. Two studies illustrated the link between promotion-focus and gratitude, as well as prevention-focus and indebtedness. In Study 1, promotion-focus measures positively correlated with gratitude, and prevention-focus measures correlated with indebtedness. In Study 2, regulatory focus was primed prior to an actual social exchange. Participants completed either promotion- or prevention-focus puzzles, and were then given free raffle tickets. The promotion-focus prime led to increased gratitude toward the benefactor. These findings suggest the important role of the beneficiary's motivation in social exchange, particularly for increasing sense of thankfulness. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
CITATION STYLE
Mathews, M. A., & Shook, N. J. (2013). Promoting or preventing thanks: Regulatory focus and its effect on gratitude and indebtedness. Journal of Research in Personality, 47(3), 191–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2013.01.001
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