Abstract

FREITAS, Lia Beatriz de Lucca; SILVEIRA, Paula Grazziotin  and  PIETA, Maria Adélia Minghelli. A study about the development of gratitude in childhood. Interam. j. psychol. [online]. 2009, vol.43, n.1, pp. 49-56. ISSN 0034-9690.

The goal of this study is to assess the development of the feeling of gratitude during childhood. In addition, the influence of the kind of benefactor (adult or child) was investigated. The participants were 12 children, distributed equally across three age groups (5-6, 7-8, and 11-12 years) and by sex. The study used six stories about hypothetical situations, three with a child benefactor and three with an adult benefactor. Following each story, a clinical interview was conducted with each child. The results suggest significant differences among the age groups in terms of: (a) the types of positive feeling attributed to the beneficiary of the action and (b) the types of relation established between the satisfaction felt by the beneficiary and the benefactor. However, no significant differences were found when comparing the two types of benefactor (child versus adult). These results, discussed in light of the literature, suggest new research questions.

Keywords : Development; Feelings; Gratitude.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )