1A Prototype Analysis of Gratitude: Varieties of Gratitude Experiences

found that participants randomly assigned to express gratitude to a friend twice a week for 3 weeks reported more willingness to voice relationship concerns, had higher positive regard for the friend, and perceived greater communal strength than those in control condi-tions. Thus, considerable evidence suggests that grati-tude is important for psychological well-being. The potential positive effects of gratitude on indi-viduals and society are numerous and researchers have recently begun to explore them. Along with the bur-geoning research on this construct comes the need for greater precision in defining it. The purpose of the present research is to examine how laypersons concep-tualize gratitude via prototype analysis. By doing so we intend to gain insight into whether lay concepts of gratitude match those of researchers. Authors ’ Note: We thank Tyler Stillman for assistance with data preparation and Olya Lambert, Elaina Plunkett, Andrea Roth, and Melissa Weiler for assistance with the coding. Correspondence con-cerning this article should be addressed to Nathaniel M. Lambert