Gratitude facilitates behavioral mimicry.

• DOI: 10.1037/emo0000022
• Publication Date: 2014-10-06T15:45:03Z
• Authors: Lile Jia; Li Neng Lee; Eddie Mun Wai Tong
• Keywords: Gratitude; Prosocial Behavior

Recent theorists argue that gratitude, besides encouraging social exchange, serves an important function of relationship building. However, there is a lack research exploring the specific behaviors through which gratitude promotes Given behavioral mimicry affiliative needs, we explored whether mimicry. We found participants who received intentional help later mimicked mannerisms their benefactor. This tendency was not extended to nonbenefactor. In contrast, ended up with same positive outcome, but believed it attributable chance, did exhibit reliable level Our results suggest nonconscious might be subtle first step communal relationships.