Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., is arguably the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude. He is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and the founding editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. He is also the author of the book ‘Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.’ His foremost interests lie in the psychology of gratitude and the psychology of personal goals. He studies how each of them are related to positive psychological processes which includes happiness, wellbeing, and personality integration. His most recent research into the correlation of gratitude and happiness gives fascinating insight into the power of thought.
In his work he teaches us how to use gratitude as a resource to promote happiness and wellbeing. Scientifically speaking, grateful thinking can increase happiness by as much as 25 percent, while keeping a gratitude journal for as little as three weeks results in better sleep and more energy. But there's more than science to embrace here: Emmons also bolsters the case for gratitude by weaving in the writings of philosophers, novelists, and theologians that also help to illustrate all the benefits grateful living has to offer.
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