Awe walks can inspire joy and may allow you to better connect to the world and lower your stress levels. Today we explore the psychology of awe.
Have you stood before the Great Pyramids of Egypt, witnessed a virtuosic piano performance, or hiked in The Basho Wayfarer in Japan? You may have experienced the self-transcendent sensation known as “awe.” When I experience it, I feel like I am a part of something greater than myself. Awe walks can inspire joy.
The experience of awe can not only change how you feel but influence how you behave, too. Experience wonder, and you may have the sense of more connectedness to something bigger than yourself. Aristotle knew it, offering that “in all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”
Einstein gets more granular, observing that “the important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when contemplating the mysteries of eternity, or life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”
The science of awe
Today we look at a simple intervention that may meaningfully change your day. But first, I want to share a movement that picked up steam in the early 2000s. Scientists increasingly focused on developing a better understanding of awe — that extraordinary sense of wonder and reverence.
Writing in a landmark 2003 article, psychologists Keltner and Haidt presented a conceptual approach to awe. They observed two phenomena that characterize an awe experience: “Perceived vastness” and “need for accommodation.” The first one is easy for me to understand. I think of the physically imposing Grand Canyon or my experience meeting the renowned psychologist B. F. Skinner. I would imagine that the astronauts peering back at the thin blue orb of the earth felt this sensation.
But what about the “need for accommodation?” Here, we have an experience that violates our usual understanding of the world. A stimulus exceeds our expectations, sometimes resulting in a cognitive realignment. This adaptation may allow you to take in new information.
Who is more likely to experience awe? What are the effects of it?
Some research suggests that you may have a higher probability of experiencing awe if:
- You are an extrovert.
- You are open to new experiences.
- You are more comfortable with ambiguity.
- You have certain character traits, such as appreciation of beauty, creativity, and gratitude.
- You are from the United States.
Are there physiological effects linked to an awe experience? I suspect you know the answer. You may have so-called goosebumps, an increase in your heart rate, or the sensation of chills.
In the psychological domain, you may become a smaller version of yourself; what I mean is that you may have a diminished sense of self. It is also not uncommon to have increased feelings of connectedness, a more positive mood, and a lowered sense of materialism. Finally, you may become more generous.
Photo by Daniel J. Schwarz on Unsplash
Can regular doses of awe boost positive feelings? Go here to learn more about the psychology of awe:
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