Gratitude practices showed the most consistent result of any technique reviewed — 98% of 166 studies found a positive effect, though effect sizes were small.
Where this was said
At 1:23:05 · chapter starts 1:20:20
Gratitude lands in the legitimate-works category not with a bang but with impressive statistical consistency. [1] — Mark Manson "Gratitude: 98% of 166 studies positive: Gratitude practices showed the most consistent result of any technique reviewed — 98% of 166 studie…" 1:23:05 98% of 166 studies found positive effects — the highest hit rate of any technique. But Mark is honest: the effect size is the smallest among the top-ranked entries, and Drew's comparison data is deflating. When gratitude is compared to other active positive interventions — encouraging acts of kindness, the 'best possible selves' exercise — the advantage largely disappears. What seems to matter is any practice that directs attention toward positive events in one's life, not anything specific to gratitude itself. Drew adds that people who are naturally already grateful benefit least (nothing to improve), while people with strong negativity biases benefit most. Compliance is a challenge — gratitude journals have a habit of becoming chores — but a 'menu-based' study found that giving people a choice of gratitude formats (journaling, meditation, silent reflection) dramatically improved consistency. Mark notes he's never gratitude journaled but naturally defaults to counting his blessings when things go wrong.
Gratitude practices are the most consistent self-improvement intervention found: 98% of 166 studies show positive effects. But the effect size is the smallest in the top tier, and compared to other positive interventions the advantage largely disappears.
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