The Gratitude visit: Student reflections on a positive psychology experiential learning exercise

Payne, Jackelyn B.; Babar, Huma; Tse, Elizabeth; Moyer, Anne

doi:10.47602/jpsp.v4i2.228

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Participants appreciated the added element of receiving a dose of gratitude from their recipients! The positive and meaningful qualitative results found in the current study are similar to those that emerged from Payne et al (2020), most notably, positive impacts on relationships and benefits on their own well-being as well as experiences of uncomfortable emotions related to the exercise. The quantitative results unique to this study add to Payne et al (2020) by suggesting increases in scores on measures assessing meaning in life, satisfaction with life, and happiness related to participation in the gratitude visit exercise.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…These qualitative data highlight the positive effects of a gratitude visit intervention, while also noting some of the challenges of engaging with this exercise. This study noted the eagerness of students to meaningfully engage with positive psychology interventions through courses and encouraged the use of similar exercises in future courses (Payne et al, 2020).…”

Section: Gratitude Visits: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…One particularly relevant study to the current project is one that incorporated a gratitude visit intervention into higher education courses and qualitatively examined students' experiences and insights related to participating in the intervention (Payne et al, 2020). Six major qualitative themes emerged from the data, including the following: expressions of satisfaction, insight, and positive emotions as a result of participation in the intervention; experiences of awkwardness, nervousness, and difficulties related to the experience; relationship improvement with the recipient of the letter; reflections on gratitude as it related to the intervention and their own experiences; benefits related to mental and emotional health; and reflections on long term effects of the intervention beyond the course.…”

Section: Gratitude Visits: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of gratitude letters and visits on relationships, happiness, well-being, and meaning of graduate students

et al. 2021

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In this mixed-methods research, we examined the practice of writing and delivering letters of gratitude (gratitude visits) and its impact on well-being, happiness, meaning and relationships for students in an online graduate program in psychology. Participants completed assessments and inventories relating to happiness, well-being and meaning in life, including the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Approaches to Happiness Questionnaire and open-ended qualitative questions before and after they wrote and delivered gratitude letters. Quantitative analyses found significant increases in meaning in life, satisfaction with life, and approaches to happiness after the gratitude visit intervention. Using a grounded theory qualitative analysis of the data, eight primary themes emerged related to the impact and meaning of gratitude letters on graduate students: (1) the impact on the relationship; (2) positive emotions experienced; (3) experiencing a reciprocal expression of gratitude from the receiver; (4) overcoming uncomfortable emotions; (5) relief, release or liberation after sharing; (6) impact on spiritual growth; (7) unexpected responses; and (8) greater reflection on the meaning of life and a changed perspective. Overall, providing graduate students with the opportunity to engage in gratitude visit interventions was related to greater meaning and well-being. This study suggests implications and recommendations related to the use of positive psychology interventions in educational settings.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Gratitude Visits: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Gratitude Visits: Evidence Of Effectivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of gratitude letters and visits on relationships, happiness, well-being, and meaning of graduate students

et al. 2021

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“…The study sample consisted of students assigned to engage in and think critically about positive psychology interventions. As reported in Payne et al (2020), in addition to writing one's obituary following a fruitful and satisfying life (Vail et al, 2012), students took note of things they were grateful for (Emmons & McCullough, 2003;Seligman et al, 2005), practiced giving active and constructive responses (Passmore & Oades, 2014), performed acts that were philanthropic and pleasurable (Otake et al, 2006), practiced savoring (Jose et al, 2012), identified and reflected upon character strengths (Seligman et al, 2005), and made a "gratitude visit" wherein Payne et al 100 they wrote and delivered a letter to someone whom they had not formally thanked (Kumar & Epley, 2018;Seligman et al, 2005). Assignments from students in six undergraduate courses (five of which were honors-level courses) and one graduate-level course (N = 109) were included.…”

supporting

confidence: 54%

Writing One’s Own Obituary: Student Reflections on an Assignment in a Positive Psychology Class

Payne

Jones

Hwang

et al. 2022

JOHAH

Self Cite

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Writing one’s own obituary has been promoted as a means to feel less anxiety regarding death and, as an experiential educational exercise, to clarify one’s values and goals and crystalize one’s professional visions. This study examined students' responses to engaging in an exercise that involved writing one’s own obituary as part of a college course in positive psychology. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of 97 assignments using a grounded theory approach. Students reported that they wanted to be remembered for positive personal characteristics and making a difference in people’s lives. Elements of a satisfying life included achievements both in the personal realm, as well as contributions to others and the world. Importantly, student reflections on the assignment indicated that they acknowledged that it was valuable in serving as a motivator to strive towards an ideal self, although some made comments relating to downplaying the role of achievements. Our findings contribute to prior literature exploring how psychology students interact with and benefit from experiential exercises in the classroom. They also provide much-needed insights into the subjective experiences of individuals engaging in this well-known positive psychology intervention.

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“…The experiential learning model that has been applied so far has several weaknesses. According to previous study the experiential learning model has weaknesses in terms of participation in the industrial world and the world of work (Mc Pherson-Geyser et al, 2020;Nguyen, 2022). The learning experiences that have been provided to students so far have come entirely from the teacher, not the needs of the industrial world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Industry-Oriented Experiential Learning Model to Enhance Vocational High School Students' Job Readiness

Sudarsono,

Tentama,

Ghozali

et al. 2023

JERE

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The highest unemployment rate in Indonesia is still dominated by SMK graduates. Unemployment occurs because the work readiness of SMK students is low. This study aims to develop an industrial-oriented experiential learning model and test its effectiveness. This study used a research and development (R&D) design from Richey and Klein. The research stages include the stages of needs analysis, internal validation and external validation. The research subjects used were teachers, students majoring in automotive engineering at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Salam and automotive industry practitioners, totaling 44 people. Data collection techniques used were interviews, questionnaires and performance tests. Researchers analyzed descriptively to produce conclusions from the feasibility of questionnaires and learning models. After being analyzed, the results of the questionnaire and practical performance tests were categorized to produce conclusions for each instrument. The result of the study show that industrial-oriented experiential learning model is very suitable to be applied to vocational learning. Vocational schools can broadly collaborate with industry, teachers and students gain knowledge and skills according to the needs of the world of work and motivation arises to make industrial replicas of learning infrastructure.

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The Gratitude visit: Student reflections on a positive psychology experiential learning exercise

Cited by 8 publications

References 30 publications

The impact of gratitude letters and visits on relationships, happiness, well-being, and meaning of graduate students

The impact of gratitude letters and visits on relationships, happiness, well-being, and meaning of graduate students

Writing One’s Own Obituary: Student Reflections on an Assignment in a Positive Psychology Class

Industry-Oriented Experiential Learning Model to Enhance Vocational High School Students' Job Readiness

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