THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PRIDE, GRATITUDE, AND INTEREST ON SELF-CONTROL

Abstract

Self-control is one of the most powerful human abilities, because it enables effective goal pursuit and the attainment of success. Researchers have identified positive affect as a crucial determinant of self-control, but more investigation is needed to understand the effects of individual discrete positive emotions. The functional approach by Shiota and colleagues (2014) differentiates discrete positive emotions based on their adaptive significance and functional outcomes. Building on this approach, this study investigates the differential effects of three discrete positive emotions – pride, gratitude, and interest – on the functional outcome of self-control. During the online experiment, participants either wrote about an experience which made them feel pride, gratitude, or interest, or described their dishwashing routine in the neutral condition. Then, they completed two measures of self-control. When compared to the neutral condition, pride was the only emotion that enhanced self-control, while gratitude and interest were unable to do so. These findings are consistent with the proposed adaptive significance of the three emotions, and establish pride as a promising antecedent of self-control.