William McDougallAcademic
Harvard psychologist
Cited in UK press coverage of health & social care
1 citation
Across 1 topic, first on 27 Aug 2026.
Expertise
Cited on
What they’ve said
“back in 1923, the Harvard psychologist William McDougall believed gratitude – especially when directed towards another person, rather than an experience in the more abstract way of, say, being "grateful to be alive" – was far knottier. Yes, there was awe for the generosity of the human spirit, and tender feelings towards the person who had given up their time to help. But there were also quiet feelings of envy or embarrassment, a sense of the "superior power" of the helper and even what he called "negative self-feeling" but which today we'd call "low self‑esteem".”
Harvard psychologist · Mental health · 27 Aug 2026 · Is there a dark side to gratitude? ↗
Source references
- Is there a dark side to gratitude?theguardian.com · 27 Aug 2026
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