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Awe is a complex emotion that occurs when we experience or witness something wondrous, vast, terrifying, inspiring, amazing, or mind-blowing. Awe can be triggered by experiences as diverse as walking through an untamed natural landscape, viewing a highly complex piece of art or architecture, having a spiritual or religious experience, or witnessing a seemingly impossible athletic feat; astronauts who visit space report feeling something like awe when they look at Earth from a great distance. Awe can connect us with others or make us feel part of something greater than ourselves; alternatively, it can leave us feeling small, powerless, and utterly insignificant.

While awe is not a wholly positive emotion—it is possible, for example, to be awe-struck by something frightening or saddening—it can and often does come with some psychological benefits, including increased prosociality, generosity, and open-mindedness. Though it’s not always easy to deliberately trigger awe, seeking out situations and experiences where awe is possible could be a path toward improving your mental well-being and even your physical health.

The Psychology of Awe
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Awe is still in some ways mysterious, and the study of it is still relatively new. That said, psychologists have defined awe as a powerful blend of admiration, wonder, respect, and sometimes dread and proposed a few theories as to why we feel it.

Many such theories have evolutionary roots; one theory, for example, posits that awe was selected for because the ability to experience awe signaled that someone was intelligent or emotionally sensitive—potentially desirable traits in a mate. Another theory, also evolutionary, argues that being in awe of other people (for example, a high-status or highly skilled person) perhaps helped to reinforce early humans’ social hierarchies. Other theories posit that, because awe tends to make us feel more connected to others, it reinforces social bonds and compels people to work toward the greater good. But while awe’s greater purpose remains up for debate, what is known is that awe can be immensely powerful, both for the individual and for social groups more broadly.

Are there different kinds of awe?

Researchers Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt, who were among the first psychologists to examine and define awe, suggest that awe comes in several “flavors,” depending on what triggers it and the nature of the emotion that arises. In an early paper, they suggest that the flavor of awe may vary depending on whether it is triggered by:

• Threat

• Beauty

• Ability

• Virtue

Supernatural beliefs

Is awe always positive?

Some research has suggested that most people, when asked to recall an awe-inspiring experience, recount something positive, like seeing the Grand Canyon or holding their child for the first time. However, many researchers who study awe conceptualize it as an emotion that can be either positive or negative, or even a bit of both. A volcanic eruption, for example, could be awe-inspiring at the same time as it is terrifying.

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Why We Should Seek Awe
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Awe has the potential to make us kinder, more generous people, and emerging research suggests that it has real benefits for our mental and physical health. The kind of dramatic, life-changing events that often provoke awe may not occur frequently, and true awe can’t be forced. Still, it is possible to create conditions in your life that make awe more likely, especially smaller moments of “everyday awe,” like witnessing an act of kindness or a baby taking its first steps. And when it’s not feasible to seek real-life awe, some research finds that watching awe-inspiring videos or reading awe-inspiring books could provide similar benefits in a pinch.

What are the benefits of experiencing awe?

Research has found that experiencing positively themed awe is associated with increased well-being and a greater sense of social connection; other studies have found that it can also be tied to reduced stress and a reduced tendency to engage in rumination, a key feature of depression and anxiety. Some studies have also found awe-inspiring experiences to be associated with increased oxytocin and reduced inflammation, which could have physical benefits in addition to mental ones.

How can awe promote personal growth?

Awe is closely intertwined with meaning, as moments of awe can help clarify what really matters or even help someone identify a new life purpose. In that sense, experiencing awe can help us assess our lives and determine whether our current path aligns with our deeper values, a journey that often leads to personal growth. Similarly, having awe in one’s life can decrease our self-focus, which in turn has been found to boost mood, rein in rumination, and even help us better control our worst impulses, such as aggression or incivility.

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