A mechanism for gratitude development in a child

Author(s)
Li, Shi
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
Most scholars consider gratitude as a moral emotion, with only few seeing it as a character trait. As a result, no systematic mechanism has ever been attempted to develop gratitude in children. Given the social issue of widespread lack of gratitude in the one-child generations of China, this article attempts to outline a mechanism of parental moral education for gratitude development. The mechanism is underpinned by love, induction and discipline; and theoretically justified in accordance with key psychological and sociological theories, such as Piaget's theory of moral development, Kohlberg's moral stages theory, attachment theory, Hoffman's internalisation theory, Rest's social justice theory and Baumrind's parenting styles theory. The benefits and potential risks of each strategy of the mechanism are addressed.
Citation
Early Child Development and Care, 186(3), p. 466-479
ISSN
1476-8275
0300-4430
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Routledge
Title
A mechanism for gratitude development in a child
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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