Expressing Gratitude: A Longstanding Human Tradition with Evolutionary Roots

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The act of giving thanks isn’t limited to holiday traditions; it’s deeply ingrained in our evolutionary history. As researchers delve into the science of gratitude, they are uncovering its pivotal role in the survival and cohesion of human communities throughout history.

Humans are inherently social creatures, and our ability to collaborate and cooperate has been central to our enduring success as a species. This isn’t about physical strength or size but rather our knack for working together effectively. One essential aspect of building these cooperative relationships is reciprocity: “If you extend kindness to me, I will reciprocate with kindness towards you,” explains Michael Tomasello, a developmental psychologist at Duke University.

Interestingly, similar patterns of give-and-take behavior exist in the animal kingdom. Malini Suchak, an animal behavior researcher at Canisius University, conducted experiments with capuchin monkeys and chimpanzees, revealing that these primates were more inclined to assist a partner who had previously helped them. Some scientists theorize that the emotion of gratitude evolved as a way to sustain these mutually beneficial exchanges. In essence, if someone aided you, you felt compelled to repay the favor with a good deed—a concept explored by Jenae Nelson, a researcher in gratitude at Baylor and Harvard universities. Nelson asserts that this fundamental give-and-take dynamic is primal and essential for the functioning of cooperative societies, preventing the emergence of a culture dominated by “takers.”

Reciprocity isn’t always a strict one-to-one transaction, as observed in both animals and humans. In some instances, an ape that received grooming assistance from another might later offer support in a physical confrontation. This suggests that reciprocity extends beyond keeping meticulous scorecards; it’s about establishing broader emotional bonds.

While we cannot definitively decipher whether chimpanzees express gratitude in the same way humans do, it is plausible that some form of social debt existed early in our evolutionary lineage, as Suchak suggests.

Fast forward to the present day, and gratitude has firmly taken root in the human experience. Studies have identified its presence in our genes and brains, particularly in areas associated with social bonding, reward processing, and empathy. Remarkably, gratitude surfaces at a remarkably young age, with children as young as 2 or 3 displaying a desire to return favors. By age 4, children begin to exhibit a propensity to “pay it forward.”

Moreover, gratitude transcends mere exchange; it has the potential to make us more generous and compassionate towards others, even if they weren’t the initiators of kindness. In fact, a 2016 study revealed that individuals who wrote letters expressing gratitude reported improved mental health and long-lasting changes in brain activity.

However, it’s crucial to emphasize that true gratitude revolves around acknowledging the giver, not just the gift. So, as Thanksgiving or any occasion prompts feelings of gratitude within us, let us focus on expressing appreciation to the people in our lives. This practice aligns more closely with the evolutionary origins of gratitude—it’s about nurturing relationships and reciprocating the kindness that others extend to us.

In summary, the act of giving thanks isn’t merely a holiday tradition; it’s a fundamental aspect of our evolutionary heritage that continues to shape our species and how we relate to one another.

Note: This article is provided by The Big Big News Health and Science Department, with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gratitude Evolution

More about Gratitude Evolution

• The Science of Gratitude – American Psychological Association
• The Evolutionary Significance of Gratitude – Scientific American
• Reciprocity: Give and Take in the Animal Kingdom – National Geographic
• Gratitude in Genes and Brains – Greater Good Magazine
• The Power of Gratitude: It’s About the Giver – NPR
• The Big Big News Health and Science Department – AP News