Exploring the cognitive context of gratitude to God: emotional impact and appraisals of benefits from God

In two pre-registered studies we investigated the cognitive context of gratitude to God (GTG) and fading positive affect grateful memories. Although has been shown causally impact happiness, few have how nature benefactor might experienced gratitude. Participants first recalled a event, human-caused benefit, or God-caused benefit. After recall they reported their current momentary emotions, past emotions from time event emotion appraisals. Grateful memories showed less over compared other Appraisals value altruism predicted both GTG humans (GTH). Positive spiritual appraisals (e.g. interpretations about one’s relationship with God, sacred giftedness event) were uniquely associated GTG. When it comes felt gratitude, does matter.