Is Gratitude Incompatible with Achievement Motivation?

Gratitude did not have equal status among virtues. One of the reasons for its second tier status in modern society is that gratitude seems incompatible with modern values, especially achievement. Gratitude seems to negatively affect achievement motivation as grateful individuals are content with their current conditions and prefer status quo. This study is an attempt to explore the relationship between gratitude and achievement motivation among undergraduate students. The Gratitude Questionnaire 6-item form (GQ-6) and Deo-Mohan Achievement Motivation Scale were administered to 125 undergraduate students. Correlational analysis shows no relation (r=.147, p = .114) between gratitude and achievement motivation. Finding of this study supports the idea that gratitude is not incompatible with achievement motivation. If anything it mildly supports the achievement.