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Pay It Forward: Gratitude in Social Networks

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  • Yen-Ping Chang
  • Yi-Cheng Lin
  • Lung Chen

Abstract

Based on the framework of the broaden-and-build theory (Fredrickson in Philos Trans R Soc B Biol Sci 359(1449):1367, 2004a , b ), we proposed that the emotion of gratitude generates upstream reciprocity (UR, which is helping an unrelated third party after being helped) by broadening the beneficiary’s perspective toward others and thus making the beneficiary represent the benefactor and newly encountered strangers in the same social category. Furthermore, by inducing one UR after another, gratitude may lead to a chain/network of UR and strengthen the structure of organization. We named the effect the integration function of gratitude and demonstrated it by applying the social network analysis technique to eighteen small groups. Implications of the integration function are discussed in terms of self-identity, social exchange theory, and quality of life. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Yen-Ping Chang & Yi-Cheng Lin & Lung Chen, 2012. "Pay It Forward: Gratitude in Social Networks," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 761-781, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:13:y:2012:i:5:p:761-781
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-011-9289-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joseph Henrich, 2001. "In Search of Homo Economicus: Behavioral Experiments in 15 Small-Scale Societies," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(2), pages 73-78, May.
    2. Martin A. Nowak & Karl Sigmund, 2005. "Evolution of indirect reciprocity," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7063), pages 1291-1298, October.
    3. R. Henrion, 2005. "Book Review," Mathematical Methods of Operations Research, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research (GOR);Nederlands Genootschap voor Besliskunde (NGB), vol. 61(2), pages 345-346, June.
    4. Samuel Bowles & Robert Boyd & Colin Camerer & Ernst Fehr & Herbert Gintis & Joseph Henrich & Richard McElreath, 2001. "In search of homo economicus: Experiments in 15 small-scale societies," Artefactual Field Experiments 00068, The Field Experiments Website.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ni, Dan & Jiwen Song, Lynda & Zheng, Xiaoming & Zhu, Jinlong & Zhang, Mengyi & Xu, Lingxiao, 2022. "Extending a helping hand: How receiving gratitude makes a difference in employee performance during a crisis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 967-982.
    2. Lung Chen & Ying Kee & Mei-Yen Chen, 2015. "Why Grateful Adolescent Athletes are More Satisfied with their Life: The Mediating Role of Perceived Team Cohesion," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 124(2), pages 463-476, November.
    3. Lung Chen & Chia-Huei Wu & Shouming Chen, 2015. "Gratitude and Athletes’ Life Satisfaction: A Intra-individual Analysis on the Moderation of Ambivalence over Emotional Expression," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 123(1), pages 227-239, August.
    4. Antonio SANDU, 2017. "Some Considerations on the Social Construction of Multiple Intelligence. Appreciative Intelligence," Postmodern Openings, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 8(2), pages 22-39, September.
    5. Lung Hung Chen & Chia-Huei Wu & Jen-Ho Chang, 2017. "Gratitude and Athletes’ Life Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Mindfulness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 1147-1159, August.
    6. Eriksson, Theresa & Näppä, Anna & Robertson, Jeandri, 2023. "Crafting a paying-it-forward mindset in business: Five principles for a competitive employer branding advantage," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 51-64.
    7. Chandra, Shalini & Shirish, Anuragini & Srivastava, Shirish C., 2020. "Theorizing technological spatial intrusion for ICT enabled employee innovation: The mediating role of perceived usefulness," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    8. Warren, Meg A. & Donaldson, Stewart I. & Galport, Nicole, 2022. "Using the science of positive psychology in the formative evaluation of social justice interventions: A case example," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    9. Wei Zhao & Qianqian Ben Liu & Xitong Guo & Tianshi Wu & Subodha Kumar, 2022. "Quid pro quo in online medical consultation? Investigating the effects of small monetary gifts from patients," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(4), pages 1698-1718, April.
    10. Shuwen Li & Ruiqian Jia & Juergen H. Seufert & Jinlian Luo & Rui Sun, 2023. "You may not reap what you sow: How and when ethical leadership promotes subordinates’ online helping behavior," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 1683-1702, December.
    11. Yen-Ping Chang & Tsui-Shan Li & Hao Teng & Antonia Berki & Lung Chen, 2013. "Living with Gratitude: Spouse’s Gratitude on One’s Depression," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1431-1442, August.

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