The Beneficial Effects of Cultivating Gratitude in the University

Taking gratitude as an example, this chapter considers how character and virtue can be cultivated in universities while simultaneously recognizing the diverse ways in which virtues might be understood and valued. With reference to multicomponent perspectives on virtue, the chapter outlines the conceptual issues surrounding gratitude and how they have informed the conceptualization and measurement of gratitude as a multifaceted construct comprising cognitive, affective, attitudinal, and behavioral elements. The chapter then considers how the virtue of gratitude might be cultivated in universities with reference to its complex nature and multicomponent structure. It recommends that gratitude (and character and virtue more broadly) be explored with intellectual rigor, appropriate critical engagement, and an opportunity for open debate. In support of cultivating character and virtue in universities, the chapter offer examples of incorporating gratitude into new and existing university programs and considers barriers to incorporating gratitude within higher education contexts.