Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude

Over the past two decades, studies have consistently found that people who practice gratitude report fewer symptoms of illness, including depression, more optimism and happiness, stronger relationships, more generous behavior, and many other benefits.

That’s why the Greater Good Science Center, in collaboration with Robert Emmons of the University of California, Davis, launched Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude, a multiyear project funded by the John Templeton Foundation. The general goals of this initiative are to:

  • Expand the scientific database of gratitude, particularly in the key areas of human health, personal and relational well-being, and developmental science;
  • Raise awareness and engage the public in a larger cultural conversation about the meaning and significance of gratitude; and
  • Promote evidence-based practices of gratitude in educational, medical, and organizational settings.

Learn more about the initiative’s goals and activities from the menu on the left.

  • Barbara Fredrickson
    “We scientists need partnerships with organizations like the GGSC because we’re not experts in reaching loads of people on a regular basis. Providing sustained delivery of content that’s thoughtful, not over-the-top, appropriately measured, and empirically grounded—that’s what the GGSC does better than anybody.”

    ― Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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