Japanese preschool-aged children’s gratitude as a moral virtue: Is the development of gratitude culture-specific?

Abstract

Abstract The function of gratitude as a factor in forming reciprocal relationships has not yet been examined in preschool-aged children. This study examines how cultural differences may influence children’s expression and understanding of gratitude. Two vignettes involving a high- and low-cost situation of expressing gratitude were told to Japanese preschool-aged children, and their responses to the scenarios were recorded. Compared to American children, a certain number of Japanese children associated positive feelings with the benefactor when they helped, would help the benefactor if they were in need, and cited reciprocity as a reason for doing so. The findings confirmed that the sprouting of gratitude as a moral virtue is also observed in preschool children from non-Western countries, and commonalities in moral development across cultures were found. At the same time, depending on the cost incurred by the benefactor on offering help, we found cultural differences in various aspects of gratitude. The findings suggested that gratitude, which encompasses the norm of reciprocity, is triggered in Japanese children in response to the cost to the benefactor.