A new study suggests that giving a small gift to a friend or loved one in need may be more effective at lifting their spirits than a supportive conversation. The research, co-authored by Hillary Wiener of the University at Albany, found that recipients perceive gifts as a greater sacrifice by the giver, resulting in more emotional benefits for the recipient. This finding may seem counterintuitive, but the researchers argue it’s a “win-win” situation where the easier option for the giver is more beneficial for the recipient. The study provides insights into the psychology of social support and the role of material gifts in emotional well-being.
The Power of Gifts
If you want to brighten someones day than on next time make their mood by small gifts like flowers, chocolates, or any homemade foods. A new study by Hillary Wiener, an assistant professor of marketing at the University at Albany’s Massry School of Business, suggests that such gifts may actually be more successful in cheering them up than a comforting chat.
Recipients of support “perceive a gift to involve more sacrifice” by the support giver than a conversation, the researchers wrote. That greater perceived amount of sacrifice created an advantage for givers in the realm like “emotional recovery,” making them better at rewarding people with positive feelings. ” A gift that’s given — especially one from nowhere or out of the blue on any other random day except maybe ordinary days like a birthday—a present, according to Wiener isn’t just thoughtful. These were no ordinary people, you see. They wanted to go through some effort and do something unique for you. That sense of love or care is what that makes a person feel well.
The Research Methodology
Published in August by the Journal of Consumer Psychology, the research paper is entitled “Money can buy me love: Gifts as an effective form of acute social support. The research was co-authored by Holly Howe at HEC Montreal and Tanya Chartrand, Duke University.
Studies 1 to 7 are deployed, with the first a behaviorial analysis of live interactions between 81 pairs of friends who made real sacrifices in the form or time and money. Friends were randomly assigned roles as “support givers” and “support receivers” in this study. The other half, who secretly jotted down notes that the researchers never saw written words about experiences they wished to get help with. The ones who were asked to give another friend a gift (givers) was further split into having their giftee either receive a small present or have a conversation with you. The researchers made sure the or gift and time given were of similar value. Unsurprisingly, the support receivers found themselves feeling better after gift exchanges than they did great chats.
Limitations and Caveats
Wiener notes that the result may sound counterintuitive — even controversial in some circles. I think there’s this idea in the society that… talking to others could be hard and you should not just buy your way out of it, she said. The researchers contend that, instead, this is a “win-win” scenario where the more convenient way for the giver to give actually helps out the recipient even more.
However, the researchers also note that frequent favors or the appearance of a bigger loss of give up-on-ability may lead to feelings of obligation — or even guilt — by the receiver. The researchers suggest that people even if you think a shared gift experience, e.g., a spa treatment or kayaking trip, might be the perfect answer to their prayers, do not overlook the possibility that the gesture could be seen as self-serving on your part. However, next time we want to make someone feel better, perhaps we should grab the wrapping paper and forgo a heart-to-heart altogether.
