Gratitude Reduces Consumption of Depleting Resources

Abstract

Sustaining finite public resources presents a dilemma between acting in self-interest for present benefit versus working toward long-term collective gain. Given gratitude’s links to prosociality and self-control, the present studies investigated whether gratitude would promote sustainable resource extraction under conditions of rapidly depleting resources. In Study 1 (N=155), participants were randomly assigned to experience an emotional state (gratitude or neutral) prior to playing a resource dilemma game where the common pool was manipulated to indicate either a sustained or depleting resource status. Neutral participants increased their point taking when the pool was depleting compared to when it was sustained, however this pattern was not observed for grateful participants. Study 2 (N=224) replicated these findings while also showing the effect of gratitude to be distinct from happiness. These findings show that gratitude, as opposed to a general positive emotional state, buffers against overtaking in resource dilemmas, and suggests that this emotion may be useful in promoting sustainable behavior.

Can positive and self-transcendent emotions promote pro-environmental behavior?

“…Gratitude induced via a recollection task (but not general positive affect) caused participants to extract fewer excess resources (points) in a commons dilemma task, which although not framed as environmental per se, mirrors natural resource dilemmas (e.g., fishing, carbon emissions, etc.) [43]. A recent dissertation by Hamilton [44] found that spiritual gratitude rituals towards nature were associated with environmental values, but there was no association between gratitude rituals and pro-environmental behaviors.…”

Gratitude is morally sensitive

“…For example, it has been consistently demonstrated that help/gift recipients react prosocially toward the Helper, third-party individuals, the environment, and the future self (Beeler-Duden & Vaish, 2020;Dickens & DeSteno, 2016;Kates & DeSteno, 2020;McCullough et al, 2001). Gratitude also motivates the grateful person to care more about the wellbeing of the Helper and strengthen the relationship to the Helper (Algoe, 2012;Bartlett et al, 2012;Lambert et al, 2010).…”