Gratitude and Happiness

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A study to assess the effect gratitude has on happiness and positivity

Lekha Ravichandran
PID: 720020560
November 2010
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson
PSYC 62: Positive Psychology
ABSTRACT
This experiment sought to investigate the level of happiness and positive outlook on life as dependent variables by practicing the “Three Blessings” (based on Emmons’ and Seligman’s studies) gratitude intervention. This exercise involves incorporating gratitude into everyday life in order to assess the positive impact it could have on overall well-being. The study is based on a self-experiment by a 17 year old college freshman, the only participant to partake in this research. It required an individual to keep a daily journal to write down three things one is grateful for at the end of every day for two weeks. A positivity ratio test and supplementary measures to test happiness and gratitude were taken immediately afterward and compared with previous three weeks of similar baseline data (sans gratitude intervention). Based on the data results, the overall level of well-being notably increased during the two weeks experimental situation, when the gratitude intervention was introduced, relative to the three weeks of the control period. This matches up to the previously carried out research by Emmons and Seligman. Therefore, it can be concluded there is a strong correlation between integrating daily proactive gratitude practice and positive emotions.
A study to assess the effect gratitude has on happiness and positivity
Gratitude is a positive emotion that involves making a conscious effort to become more aware and more appreciative of our blessings in life, many of which we often take for granted. Gratitude is important to study because it has shown a strong positive correlation to our happiness and overall well-being. At the very least, cultivating a grateful outlook towards
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