Gratitude: More Than a Holiday Custom, It’s a Fundamental Aspect of Human Evolution

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Gratitude is not merely a custom reserved for holidays; it has been an integral part of human evolution.

Researchers exploring gratitude’s science have discovered its significant role in our ancestors’ survival, fostering unity and cooperation.

This innate tendency for gratitude continues to shape our human identity and influences our interactions with others.

“Gratitude is embedded in our human DNA,” says Sarah Schnitker, a psychologist at Baylor University. “It acts as a social adhesive, binding us together.”

The Social Nature of Humans and Reciprocity

Our social nature has been pivotal in human survival, relying on collaboration rather than physical prowess.

Michael Tomasello, a developmental psychologist at Duke University, highlights the importance of reciprocity in forming relationships: mutual favor and kindness foster mutual liking.

Parallel behaviors of give-and-take are evident in animals, as observed by Malini Suchak, an animal behavior researcher at Canisius University. Her studies with capuchin monkeys and chimpanzees show increased willingness to help those who have previously assisted them.

Jenae Nelson, a gratitude researcher at Baylor and Harvard universities, posits that gratitude evolved to perpetuate these beneficial exchanges, encouraging the reciprocation of help.

“This reciprocal nature is fundamental to cooperative societies,” Nelson remarks. “Without it, societies would be dominated by selfish individuals.”

In both animals and humans, these interactions are not always direct exchanges. An ape may assist a grooming partner in a future conflict, indicating that reciprocity is about forming emotional bonds, not just tallying favors, Suchak explains.

Early signs of this social indebtedness likely existed in our evolutionary ancestors, although we can’t definitively confirm gratitude expressions in primates, according to Suchak.

Gratitude’s Evolutionary Roots and Contemporary Significance

Gratitude has deeply rooted itself in human beings over thousands of years.

Research suggests that gratitude may be associated with specific genes and brain areas related to social bonding, reward processing, and understanding others’ perspectives.

Children as young as 2 or 3 exhibit gratitude by showing a desire to reciprocate favors, observes Amrisha Vaish, a moral development researcher at the University of Virginia. By age 4, they also exhibit a tendency to “pay it forward.”

Vaish’s study revealed that children who received assistance in tasks, such as finding a key, were more inclined to share rewards with others, demonstrating that gratitude transcends mere transactional exchanges and fosters general generosity.

A 2016 study underscores the personal benefits of gratitude: individuals who expressed gratitude through letters experienced enhanced mental health and observable brain activity changes even after several months.

However, Nelson emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the benefactor, not just the benefit. She suggests focusing on expressing gratitude towards people, especially during Thanksgiving, aligning with gratitude’s evolutionary purpose.

“It’s about the relationships and actions of others, and what we can reciprocally offer,” Nelson concludes.

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This article is a product of the Big Big News Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP holds exclusive responsibility for the content.

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