Psychol Sci April 2006 PMID 16623689

Gratitude and prosocial behavior: helping when it costs you.

Monica Y Bartlett, David DeSteno

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Mentions

43
Peak: 1 in Jan 2017
across 5 sources since Jan 2017

Extended reach

631,888
potential audience

Total likes

14,418

Video views

626,318

Mentions per month

Jan 2017 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News27 articles
  • Blogs8 articles
  • X / Twitter3 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions reflect strong agreement and high interest, with posts referencing foundational studies like Bartlett & DeSteno (2006) and emphasizing gratitude's unique role in motivating helping behavior, often using language like 'drives us to help' and 'key to understanding prosocial acts,' which underscores the perceived importance and applicability of the research.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the findings of the publication, citing key studies and emphasizing gratitude's role in promoting prosocial behavior.

InterestHigh interest

The posts demonstrate high interest, referencing multiple sources and connecting the research to broader concepts in psychology and social behavior.

EngagementModerate engagement

While many posts provide summaries and agree with the research, some simply cite sources without deep discussion, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

Users highlight the significance of understanding gratitude's influence on helping behavior, suggesting that the research could have meaningful implications for fostering prosocial acts.

Abstract in brief

  • The studies show that gratitude specifically encourages people to help others even when helping is costly or unpleasant, and this effect is different from just feeling generally positive.
  • The research indicates that gratitude motivates prosocial behavior because of the emotion itself, not just because of social norms like reciprocity.
  • When people are aware that their feelings are caused by something other than genuine gratitude, the motivating effect on helping behavior decreases, highlighting gratitude's role in relationship building.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
skiveo
@Skive0 · X

@joebradford On the topic of what follows shukr: Research shows that gratitude facilitates helpfulness, feeling grateful drives us to help others (Bartlett & DeSteno, 2006). source: Bartlett and DeSteno. Gratitude and Prosocial Behavior: Helping When it Costs You. Psychological Science. 2006.

Jun 14, 2019 · 6 likes · 71 followers View post →
Rod
@rodjnaquin · X

This research explores how gratitude influences people's willingness to help others, even when helping is costly or difficult. https://t.co/7a47oujygU The studies show that feeling grateful makes people more likely to assist others compared to feeling neutral or just generally

Jul 30, 2024 · 3 likes · 3,519 followers View post →

All mentions

Rod
@rodjnaquin · X

This research explores how gratitude influences people's willingness to help others, even when helping is costly or difficult. https://t.co/7a47oujygU The studies show that feeling grateful makes people more likely to assist others compared to feeling neutral or just generally

Jul 30, 2024 · 3 likes · 3,519 followers View post →
The Good Athlete
@thegoodathletes · X

References Bartlett, & DeSteno1, D. (2006). Gratitude and Prosocial Behavior. Psychological Science, 17(4), 319–. https://t.co/wKh93itKsY McCullough, M.E., Emmons, R.A., & Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography.

Nov 30, 2022 · 1 like · 1,981 followers View post →
skiveo
@Skive0 · X

@joebradford On the topic of what follows shukr: Research shows that gratitude facilitates helpfulness, feeling grateful drives us to help others (Bartlett & DeSteno, 2006). source: Bartlett and DeSteno. Gratitude and Prosocial Behavior: Helping When it Costs You. Psychological Science. 2006.

Jun 14, 2019 · 6 likes · 71 followers View post →