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There is science is everything we do. "The Daily Dose" is an audio podcast series highlighting some of the ancient, latest, most important and relevant societal psychological research-based discussions that is relevant for today. These podcasts will help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.
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Unlocking the Power of Awe: Transforming Everyday Moments into Profound Connections
What's the secret to transforming ordinary moments into profound experiences that foster connection and compassion? Unlock the mysteries of awe with us as we delve into its psychological and evolutionary underpinnings. From the vastness of space to the simplicity of a sunset, we examine how awe transcends mere amazement by demanding a shift in our understanding. With insights from researchers like Keltner and Haight and tales of astronauts' "overview effect," we explore how awe can reshape our perceptions and strengthen social bonds. Whether it's the grandeur of nature or the power of artistic achievement, learn how awe serves as both a unifying and humbling force.
In our exploration, discover how easy it is to cultivate awe in everyday life and the profound impact it can have on our behavior. Studies by Piff and colleagues illustrate how awe encourages pro-social behaviors like generosity and kindness, suggesting that awe isn't just a fleeting emotion but a powerful tool for personal and societal benefit. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of awe, its role in enhancing group cohesion, and the ethical considerations around its manipulation. By intentionally seeking and embracing awe, we invite a mindset that enriches our lives and fosters a compassionate, interconnected world. Join us in this journey to see the world anew through the lens of awe and wonder.
Hey, everyone ready for another deep dive? Today we're gonna tackle this really cool paper all about awe.
Speaker 2:Awe yeah.
Speaker 1:You know that feeling of just being completely blown away by something.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:But we're going deep.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:We're going past those surface level observations and really looking at the science behind it.
Speaker 2:It's a fascinating emotion really.
Speaker 1:It is so much more than just like a quick oh wow that's. It's a fascinating emotion really. It is so much more than just like a quick oh wow that's right. It's so much deeper than that.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah, it's more than just a fleeting feeling. Yeah, and we're going to. We're going to uncover what it really is.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Why it matters and how to experience more of it in your own life.
Speaker 1:Yes, because who wouldn't want more awe Right, I yes, because who wouldn't? Want more awe, right, I mean that's what it's all about those moments that just kind of take your breath away. So let's break it down. Yeah, what exactly is awe? I mean, when we talk about awe, are we just talking about being amazed by something?
Speaker 2:Well, it's definitely a step beyond simple amazement. Okay, think of it as having two key ingredients.
Speaker 1:Okay, I like it.
Speaker 2:Two key ingredients. Yeah, the first one is this sense of vastness.
Speaker 1:Vastness Okay.
Speaker 2:So something that is way bigger than your everyday experience. It could be a Grand Canyon, it could be a mind-blowing scientific theory yeah, anything that makes you feel like you're grasping at something beyond your normal frame of reference.
Speaker 1:Your brain is saying whoa, this changes everything.
Speaker 2:Yes, exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay, so we've got VASPIS and what's the second ingredient.
Speaker 2:The second ingredient is the need for accommodation.
Speaker 1:Need for accommodation. What does that even mean?
Speaker 2:So this is your brain, scrambling to make sense of this vastness, okay, trying to fit it into your existing understanding of the world.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Like a mental puzzle, where you keep finding new pieces.
Speaker 1:Okay, so vastness plus this mental wrestling match.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But isn't awe usually a good thing?
Speaker 2:Well, here's where it gets interesting.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Awe can be both positive and negative.
Speaker 1:Oh, really, yeah, I always think of it as positive.
Speaker 2:Right, so picture yourself on a mountaintop.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Taking in a breathtaking. Vista yeah, that's classic positive awe yeah witnessing a natural disaster, something terrifying yet immense, can also evoke awe, wow.
Speaker 1:Both of those involve vastness and force us to reconsider our place in the world so it's not just about the scale of something, it's about how it makes us rethink our whole perspective.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and there are different flavors of awe too. Flavors, yeah, researchers Keltner and Haight, they propose five types.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Thread-based awe. Beauty-based awe.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Awe inspired by exceptional ability or virtue.
Speaker 1:Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:And even awe stemming from the supernatural.
Speaker 1:Really from the supernatural.
Speaker 2:Yeah, think about those moments where you felt that awe sensation. Did any of these flavors ring true for you?
Speaker 1:I'm going to have to think about that one.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But why would we evolve to feel this way?
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:What's the evolutionary advantage of being overwhelmed by something bigger than ourselves?
Speaker 2:Well, some scientists think that awe might have helped our ancestors survive.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:By highlighting safe environments.
Speaker 1:Safe environments how so?
Speaker 2:So imagine being on a high vista like the Grand Canyon. Yeah, you can see for miles.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Meaning danger is less likely to sneak up on you.
Speaker 1:Oh, so feeling awe was like an early warning system, right? Okay, interesting.
Speaker 2:Saying hey, you're safe here.
Speaker 1:But wouldn't feeling small and insignificant make you more vulnerable.
Speaker 2:That's a great point. It's a complex puzzle and there are other theories too. Okay, some argue that awe's cognitive challenge, forcing us to update our mental models, could have been beneficial.
Speaker 1:So it's like awe pushes us to learn and adapt. Exactly the more we encounter things that make us go wow.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:The more we're expanding our understanding of the world.
Speaker 2:Yeah, makes sense, right, absolutely. And let's not forget the social aspect.
Speaker 1:Okay, the social aspect.
Speaker 2:Researchers suggest that awe can promote self-transcendence.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And group cohesion, that feeling of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.
Speaker 1:You mean like at a concert, when everybody's swept up in the music Exactly and they feel connected.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Shared awe could have helped early humans strengthen social bonds, cooperate better and ultimately increase their chances of survival as a group.
Speaker 1:So awe brings us together.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:Interesting. Okay, so we've got this complex emotion with deep roots.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But what actually triggers it in us is nature, the main culprit.
Speaker 2:Nature is definitely a major player.
Speaker 1:Okay, I mean.
Speaker 2:Think about towering mountains, vast forests, the ocean.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:These natural landscapes. They often inspire awe.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's not just about size, though.
Speaker 1:Okay, it's also the sheer complexity and beauty of the natural world. It's like walking into a forest and being surrounded by so much information, right the way light filters through the leaves, the sounds of birds and insects, the feel of the earth beneath your feet, it's true. It's just like sensory overload in the best possible way it is.
Speaker 2:And then there's the overview effect.
Speaker 1:The overview effect. What's that?
Speaker 2:This is that awe-inspiring experience astronauts have when seeing Earth from space.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, yeah I can only imagine.
Speaker 2:The paper quotes some amazing astronaut accounts, like one described feeling an incredible connection to Earth.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:A feeling unlike anything they had experienced before.
Speaker 1:I wonder, if everybody could see Earth from that perspective Right, would it change how we treat our planet? What do you think?
Speaker 2:That's a powerful question to consider.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But it's important to remember that nature isn't the only source of awe. Okay, cultural differences also play a role in what triggers this emotion Uh-huh. For example, a study found that personal accomplishments were more likely to spark awe in Americans.
Speaker 1:Oh, interesting.
Speaker 2:While Chinese students were more awed by other people.
Speaker 1:So individualistic cultures like the US.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:We might be primed to feel awe about achieving our own goals Right, while collectivist cultures might focus more on the achievements of the group.
Speaker 2:Precisely. It highlights how our backgrounds can shape our experiences of awe.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But even with these differences, the study found that people were universally awestruck by other people, regardless of their culture.
Speaker 1:So there's something fundamentally human about being impressed by the potential and achievements of others, even if the specifics vary. That's right, but does personality play a role? Are some people just more prone to feeling awe?
Speaker 2:That's a great question.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And one we'll explore further in the next part of our deep dive.
Speaker 1:Okay, so stay tuned, because we're just getting started.
Speaker 2:We are Welcome back. Last time we were talking about cultural and individual differences in how we experience. Just getting started. We are Welcome back. Last time, we were talking about cultural and individual differences in how we experience awe.
Speaker 1:Right All the different things that can trigger that feeling.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, but let's shift gears now and explore what happens in our bodies and minds when we're actually in that awestruck state.
Speaker 1:Because it's more than just a feeling right Absolutely and there are actual, measurable effects.
Speaker 2:Yeah, one of the most intriguing is the physical sensation of chills, chills. Yeah, you know that tingly, goose, bumpy feeling you get when you're deeply moved by something.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah, okay.
Speaker 2:And get this. The paper says awe is one of the TOP triggers for goosebumps.
Speaker 1:Really.
Speaker 2:Second only to being cold.
Speaker 1:Wow, I never thought about it that way.
Speaker 2:And it even breaks down the science, saying there are two types.
Speaker 1:Two types of goosebumps.
Speaker 2:Uh-huh Goose tingles linked to positive emotions.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And cold shivers, which tend to go with negative feelings.
Speaker 1:So wait, is that like a real scientific distinction?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it comes from research by Maruskin, thrash and Elliott.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:They found that both involve those familiar chills, but they stem from different emotional pathways in the brain.
Speaker 1:So like that spine-tingling feeling you get when you hear a powerful piece of music Right, that's Goose Stingles telling you you're having a positive, connecting experience.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:But like if you're shivering from fear. That's a different story.
Speaker 2:Totally different and it ties in beautifully with the other pro-social effects of all we'll be discussing. Okay, but first there's another fascinating psychological effect to unpack the small self.
Speaker 1:The small self. What's that?
Speaker 2:It's that feeling of literally shrinking in the face of something immense.
Speaker 1:Oh, right right.
Speaker 2:The paper even mentions a study where people drew smaller self-portraits.
Speaker 1:No way.
Speaker 2:After experiencing awe.
Speaker 1:Wow, that's wild.
Speaker 2:It's like our ego, our sense of self-importance.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Literally diminishes in the presence of something that makes us feel small and insignificant by comparison.
Speaker 1:Which honestly can be a good thing, right, I think so. Like letting go of that ego driven focus on me myself and I.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. That sense of the small self can profoundly impact how we perceive the world and our place in it.
Speaker 1:It also connects to the idea of time expansion, right? Yes, how awe can make people feel like they have more time available. I remember reading about a study by Rud Vos and Aker.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, fascinating study. They found that experiencing awe can make people more willing to volunteer their time, prioritize experiences over possessions and even report greater life satisfaction.
Speaker 1:It's like awe gives us a much needed perspective shift Right, reminding us there's more to life than just chasing the clock or collecting stuff. It's about savoring the present moment and connecting with something bigger.
Speaker 2:And speaking of connection, one of the most compelling aspects of awe is how it increases our sense of belonging to our communities and to humanity as a whole.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about me feeling small. It's about me feeling connected to something larger.
Speaker 2:Exactly. The paper mentions a study where people who experience awe were more likely to describe themselves, using universal categories, uh-huh Like a person or an inhabitant of Earth.
Speaker 1:Oh interesting. It's like they were seeing themselves as part of a larger, interconnected web. And this interconnectedness seems to have amazing ripple effects, especially when it comes to generosity and kindness.
Speaker 2:There's growing evidence that awe can make us more pro-social.
Speaker 1:More pro-social meaning.
Speaker 2:Meaning more likely to help others, more generous, more ethical.
Speaker 1:So awe makes us better people.
Speaker 2:It seems like it. The paper describes a study by Piff and his colleagues where people who felt awe were more likely to help others, be more generous and act more ethically.
Speaker 1:Wow, so it's like scientifically proven.
Speaker 2:It's pretty compelling. They even did this cool experiment.
Speaker 1:Oh, what was that?
Speaker 2:Where they had people look up at either towering eucalyptus trees or a tall building.
Speaker 1:Okay, so one group is looking at nature Right and the other one is looking at like a skyscraper.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and the people who gazed at the trees, feeling that sense of natural awe, were more likely to help the experimenter pick up dropped pens afterwards.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about feeling good, right Awe actually motivates us to do good.
Speaker 2:That seems to be the case, and this brings us to the bigger picture.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:If awe has such a positive impact on our well-being, our generosity, even our understanding of science.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:How can we cultivate more of it in our lives?
Speaker 1:That's the million dollar question.
Speaker 2:It is, and while the research is still young, it offers some clues.
Speaker 1:Okay, I have all ears.
Speaker 2:One key takeaway is that awe isn't limited to grand once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's something we can find in the everyday if we know where to look.
Speaker 1:So, instead of waiting for that trip to the Grand Canyon, Exactly we can actively seek out awe in our daily lives.
Speaker 2:Think about the things that make you feel that sense of wonder and amazement. It could be anything from stargazing to listening to your favorite music, to simply taking a walk in nature and noticing the intricate details of a flower or a leaf.
Speaker 1:I love that idea. Yeah, it's about shifting our perspective and being open to those little wow moments that often go unnoticed, but there's more to uncover right. There is.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and the final part of our deep dive. We'll explore some of the cutting edge research on awe and delve into its therapeutic potential, as well as some of the ethical considerations that come with this powerful emotion.
Speaker 1:Okay, so stay with us.
Speaker 2:Stay with us.
Speaker 1:All right, we are back and ready to wrap up our deep dive into awe.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we've covered a lot of ground, haven't we?
Speaker 1:We have, from its evolutionary roots to its effects on our minds and bodies. But as with anything, there's always more to discover.
Speaker 2:Right, there's still so many unanswered questions about awe.
Speaker 1:Like what.
Speaker 2:Well, for example, we've talked about how awe can promote group cohesion and connection.
Speaker 1:Right bringing people together.
Speaker 2:But what about the flip side, the?
Speaker 1:flip side.
Speaker 2:Could it be manipulated?
Speaker 1:Manipulated, how so.
Speaker 2:To fuel negative group behavior.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, yeah. Could awe be used to strengthen prejudice or even justify harmful actions?
Speaker 2:It's a possibility, and one that researchers are starting to investigate.
Speaker 1:That's a little unsettling.
Speaker 2:It's crucial to understand both the light and shadow sides of any emotion.
Speaker 1:Right, especially one as powerful as awe, exactly, and the paper also mentions the need for more research on how awe is experienced across different cultures.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we touched on this earlier, with individualistic versus collectivist cultures.
Speaker 1:Right, like how personal achievements might inspire more awe in Americans, while Chinese students might be more awed by the accomplishments of others. Right, but there's so much more to explore it makes you wonder how different cultures experience and express awe.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And then there's the neuroscience of awe the neuroscience. What's actually happening in the brain when we're in that awestruck state?
Speaker 1:Oh, that's fascinating.
Speaker 2:There's been some preliminary research using brain imaging.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:But we're really just at the beginning.
Speaker 1:Imagine being able to see which parts of the brain light up when someone experiences awe.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Whether it's from gazing at a star-filled sky or listening to a piece of music.
Speaker 2:It would give us incredible insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this emotion.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and potentially help us understand how to harness its power.
Speaker 2:For things like therapy. Oh right, the therapeutic potential of all exactly could all be used to help people struggling with anxiety, depression or even trauma it's an interesting thought there's a lot of potential there. The paper mentions the work of psychologist kirk schneider okay who's exploring all based consciousness and its potential applications in therapy so using awe as a tool for healing and growth. That's the idea.
Speaker 1:And it brings us back to a question we touched on earlier.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Can we actively seek out awe experiences, or are they just random, serendipitous moments?
Speaker 2:That's the big question, isn't it?
Speaker 1:I mean knowing what we know now about awe, it triggers its effects Right. Can we intentionally create opportunities to experience it more often?
Speaker 2:It's certainly worth trying.
Speaker 1:So what do you suggest? How do we become more awe-prone?
Speaker 2:Well, think about the things that evoke that sense of wonder and amazement in you.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It could be anything from spending time in nature to immersing yourself in art or music that moves you.
Speaker 1:Or even just taking a moment to appreciate the simple things.
Speaker 2:Exactly like the beauty of a sunset or the intricate patterns in a fallen leaf.
Speaker 1:It's about being present and open to those moments of awe.
Speaker 2:Right and who knows, maybe by intentionally seeking out awe we can not only enrich our own lives.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But also contribute to creating a more compassionate, interconnected and awe-inspired world.
Speaker 1:Well said. That's a beautiful thought to end on it is contribute to creating a more compassionate, interconnected and awe-inspired world. Well said, that's a beautiful thought to end on. It is so keep looking up, keep exploring and keep allowing yourself to be awestruck by the beauty and wonder that surrounds us.
Speaker 2:Couldn't say it better myself.
Speaker 1:Until next time, happy awe-seeking.