The expression of gratitude maintains a dynamic equilibrium between donor and receiver. Gratitude has the function of a reciprocal gift which symbolizes the extension of a quantum of affection and thus reverses the roles of donor and receiver. Through word or action the primary donor offers a quantity of love. Its acceptance affords him vicarious enjoyment through identification with the receiver; its acknowledgement provides satisfaction of his dependent needs. Both signal possible future repetition of the process with the proven love object. Delay or omission of grateful acknowledgement is equated with rejection, and interrupts the cherished stability of a mutually appetitive relationship which follows the model of the original, affective mother-infant dialogue. Anxiety, depression, anger, and guilt ensue and bring into focus the aversive components of the ambivalent feelings toward the rejecting source. The failure of the patency of giving as an instrument or purposeful action and of reaction formation exposes the donor to his unacceptable, hostile, and dependent impulses.