The Future of Gratitude

Abstract

This final chapter summarizes the major themes of the book drawing from the research on the lived experience of gratitude and the major conclusions from social science research. A focus is placed on the distinction between personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal gratitude and the shifts in felt experience and the nature of benefit that occurs within these three domains. A discussion of the growing recognition of the importance of gratitude to human growth and happiness is presented as a framework from which to appreciate the direction of future research into the construct of gratitude.