Using cultural‐ecological theory to construct a mid‐range theory for the development of gratitude as a virtue
- 8 September 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Family Theory & Review
- Vol. 14 (2) , 157-174
Abstract
Gratitude scholarship, whether in the close relationships or developmental literature, currently lacks a coherent framework. The termgratitudeis used for a wide variety of constructs, and there is rarely a clear link between conceptualization and operationalization. We think that gratitude should be considered a moral virtue, involving the desire to reciprocate in some kind or helpful way to one's intentional benefactors. Our goal is thus to provide a mid‐range theoretical framework for the study of the development of gratitude as a virtue. The theory from which this framework is derived is cultural‐ecological theory.Keywords
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