An exploratory study of ‘The gratitude-engagement cycle’.

Conference: Society for Research into Higher Education

Dates: 7-9 December 2016

Abstract:

Gratitude drawn from notions of reciprocity, central to the inherent nature of HE, can be seen in two parts, feelings of gratitude and expressions of gratitude. This exploratory paper investigates evidence of feelings and expressions of gratitude within HE from the perspective of students, alumni and academics within a UK HEI. Qualitative in-depth interviews provide initial evidence that feelings of gratitude resonate within HE and that engagement emerges as an important consequence of feelings of gratitude. A conceptual framework is proposed comprising a cycle of feelings of gratitude and engagement. Expressions of gratitude may have the currently unfulfilled potential to leverage the gratitude-engagement cycle.

Source: Manual