Gift Receipt and the Reformulation of Interpersonal Relationships

Summary

This study examines how receiving a gift can influence the relationship between giver and recipient. The authors analyze the recipient's understanding of the existing relationship, the gift itself, the ritual context, and the emotions surrounding the exchange. They identify six types of relational effects and describe how some effects remain stable while others change over time. The study provides an early empirical foundation for viewing gifts as events that can reinforce, alter, or challenge relationships.

Key findings

• The relational effect of a gift depends on the recipient's interpretation of the gift within an existing relationship.
• Occasion and ritual context contribute to the gift's meaning.
• Emotional reactions help shape how recipients understand the relationship after the exchange.
• Some relational effects persist, while others change as the gift and relationship acquire new meaning.

Limitations & cautions

The research relies on retrospective accounts of memorable incidents and does not estimate how common each relational effect is. Recall and selection effects may influence which gift experiences participants described. It does not test a recommendation system or establish that a particular reflective process improves gifting outcomes.

Themes

• Relationships & Social Signaling

Used in these research topics

• Mindful Gifting and the Clues You Already Have