The psychological process of exhibiting prosocial behaviors after receiving gratitude

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explain the psychological process of exhibiting prosocial behaviors after a person receives gratitude. The results of a preliminary survey indicated that psychological responses are organized into six categories for people who receive gratitude and five categories for those who do not receive it. Participants who participated in this study’s two main surveys completed questionnaires measuring their psychological responses and prosocial behaviors after receiving or not receiving gratitude. Participants in Survey 1 recalled their experiences of receiving or not receiving gratitude from their friends after exhibiting prosocial behaviors, whereas Survey 2 participants recalled their experiences of receiving or not receiving gratitude from strangers. Regression analysis showed that among participants who received gratitude from others, the “affirmative responses to one’s own behavior” promoted a wide variety of prosocial behaviors. Furthermore, a “desire to receive gratitude” promoted prosocial behaviors toward another person after not receiving gratitude.