Awe and the interconnected self

Abstract

Awe is a self-expansive emotion, where the boundaries of a separate self are transcended to process a larger, complex reality. The current review integrates the existing scholarship on awe including the benefits, individual differences, and neuroanatomical correlates of the emotion. We also identify the attentional antecedents to awe experiences, the states and traits that may support or create barriers to experiences of the emotion, and theoretically guided methods to allow the emotion to be accessible in day-today life. We argue that awe may promote prosocial instincts through the recognition of one's place in a vast interconnected world and be particularly beneficial in this age of rapid technological progress and social unrest.

The Potential Role of Awe for Depression: Reassembling the Puzzle

“…At the existential level, both empirical and theoretical evidence supports the self-transcendent nature of this emotion (Van Cappellen et al, 2013 ; Yaden et al, 2016 , 2017 , 2019 ; Li et al, 2019 ; Kitson et al, 2020 ). As also reported by the recent work of Chen and Mongrain ( 2020 ), awe is a “self-expansive emotion” making us transcend our self. Awe expands our sense of connection with the world (Yang et al, 2018 ) and other human beings, (Quesnel and Riecke, 2018 ) thereby making us overcome the sense of loneliness and meaninglessness at the core of MDD (Fried et al, 2015 ).…”

Dispositional Awe and Online Altruism: Testing a Moderated Mediating Model

“…This result is consistent with previous studies targeting subjective well-being (Zhao et al, 2019 ). Whether face to face or online, people with higher dispositional awe pay reduced attention to self-oriented concerns (Chen and Mongrain, 2020 ). They hold a transcendent view and attitude toward life and go beyond their own momentary needs, thereby paying more attention to other-oriented concerns and engaging in more collective and prosocial behavior (Piff et al, 2015 ; Prade and Saroglou, 2016 ).…”

Awe Narratives: A Mindfulness Practice to Enhance Resilience and Wellbeing

“…Specifically, a first-person narrative is provided to illustrate a type reflective practice that can further elicit awe and enhance one’s mental health and resilience. Studies have shown that recalling and sharing personal experiences are a known method for studying ( Shiota et al, 2017 ; Allen, 2018 ) and cultivating awe ( Bai et al, 2017 ; Danvers and Shiota, 2017 ; Stellar et al, 2018 ; Chen and Mongrain, 2020 ).…”