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VOL. 12, ISSUE 2 (2026)
A theoretical re-examination of gratitude in modern positive psychology: The architecture of appreciation
Authors
Ruma Barman, Seuli Tudu
Abstract
The concept of appreciation, also known as gratitude, has attained
foundational status in the field of positive psychology, but a coherent
theoretical framework that fully captures its complexity is still a work in
progress. In order to conceptualise gratitude as a multi-systemic phenomenon
that includes dispositional orientation, ethical imperative, existential
resource, and interpersonal catalyst, this article undertakes a de novo
theoretical analysis of gratitude, going beyond its traditional classification
as a mere affective state. We investigate the role of appreciation as a
cognitive-affective amplifier, a facilitator of reciprocal social exchange, and
a mechanism for meaning-making during challenging times, achieved through the
integration and critical synthesis of existing explanatory frameworks. The
analysis delineates key conceptual distinctions, including the difference
between enduring appreciative dispositions and transient thankful responses,
the biopsychosocial pathways linking grateful processing to physiological
regulation, and the potential risks associated with mandated thankfulness.
Furthermore, we explore the cultural embeddedness of appreciation by
challenging universalist assumptions and highlighting the influence of
sociocultural norms on the expression and interpersonal consequences of
thankful acknowledgment. This paper advocates for a more sophisticated research
agenda while reaffirming the significance of gratitude for human flourishing,
constructing an integrative model that positions it at the intersection of
existential meaning-making, relational dynamics, and cognitive appraisal.
Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies on the development of
appreciation, neuroscientific investigations into the embodied mechanisms of
gratitude, and culturally sensitive intervention designs that account for
contextual variability.
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Pages:81-84
How to cite this article:
Ruma Barman, Seuli Tudu "A theoretical re-examination of gratitude in modern positive psychology: The architecture of appreciation". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 81-84
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