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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jan 10.
Published in final edited form as: Br J Dev Psychol. 2012 Mar 28;31(Pt 1):42–56. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-835X.2012.02077.x

Table 3.

Codes, Sample Responses, and Percentage of Children Displaying Understanding on the Gratitude Vignettes

Components Description Sample responses Cat Sweater

% %


Positive feelings 0 No [Child] was sad (or angry, scared, cold etc.).
1 Yes [Child] was happy (or good, thankful etc.). 53.3 76.7
Relation with benefactor 0 No CAT: Because she got her cat back.
SWEATER: Because she got a sweater.
1 Yes CAT: Because her aunt helped her. 7.0
SWEATER: Because Jane shared her sweater with her. 54.6
Should help 0 No No.
1 Yes Yes. 92.1 76.9
Reason to help 1 Social custom CAT: Because this is what people do. 24.2
SWEATER: Because we are supposed to share scissors. 13.4
2 Potential negative consequences CAT: If she [Nicky] doesn’t, it will take her [Aunt Anne] a long time. 43.2
SWEATER: Because Jane will get yelled at. 45.4
3 Returning the favor in appreciation of benefactor CAT: Because Aunt Anne helped her find her cat. 23.2
SWEATER: Because Jane let Danielle borrow her sweater. 17.6