By Sabrina DuPaix
When I think about an “awe-full” moment, one of the first things I think about is looking at a newborn baby. The unbelievable cuteness of a mini-person and miracle that it is leads to a nearly automatic response of bulging eyes, gaping mouth, and the word “awwwwe.” The emotion of awe is generally positive and, indeed, the research on how this emotion is related to well-being is exciting. Awe has only recently been defined in research terms, with vastness and accommodation being the core components (Keltner & Haidt, 2003). In simple terms, awe consists of moments when we experience something that is bigger than ourselves and when our perspective of life needs to be shifted in order to make sense of a situation. Furthermore, Keltner and Haidt describe five “flavors” (or features) of awe that contribute to the awe-full experiences.
Threat
Although awe is typically understood as a purely positive emotion, awe can be felt during times of threat. One example includes the threat of a natural disaster. During a tornado, for example, the immense power may be overwhelming. A tornado can easily destroy structures and homes in seconds. This evokes feelings of fear. However, it is not only fear that takes over in this situation, the mind also attempts to adapt to the situation. We try to make sense of the power; but, we will often come to a dead end and be left with feelings of confusion. What we logically understand ceases to bring clarity to the situation.
This threat-based awe has not been connected with positive well-being and has, rather, led to feeling as though one has less control (Gordon, et al., 2017).
Beauty
One of the more common ways awe can be felt is when in the presence of something beautiful. This is often experienced in nature or when one is attracted to another. Recently, I felt this type of awe while on a hike. The picture below is a panorama that I took with my phone’s camera. While this is clearly not professionally taken, it was able to capture some of the beauty I noticed that day. On top of the mountain, the enormity of the earth was breathtaking. In moments like this, I realize how little I am in comparison and, yet, how important my contribution is to those in my life. My brain attempts to accommodate for these conflicting realizations.
Interestingly, research has indicated that both extraordinary and everyday nature experiences contribute to improvements in well-being (Anderson et al., 2018).
Ability
Another way that we experience awe is through being majorly impressed by the ability of others. If you have not heard of Simone Biles, you will soon be looking up all her best performances on YouTube. She is a 22-year-old gymnast and last August became the first female gymnast to land a triple-double on the floor. She did so during the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships and the move has since been named the Biles II. See the GIF below to witness history.
In this case, the fame of Simone Biles, along with the magnitude of the competition, reinforces the vastness of awe, while the mindblowing capability she has to perform such a move forces one to shift perspective. Suddenly, there is another skill included in the realm of human possibilities.
Furthermore, it is not merely through another’s physical feats that awe can be experienced; other examples may be seen in the power of political leaders or the authority of someone in charge. There are countless times when we can be amazed by the talents of others--maybe even our own sometimes too--and when those are found in a grandiose scale, we may experience a purely awe-full moment. Hopefully, we can recognize that these abilities do not make someone better than another; rather, we realize that someone else can achieve something that we respect and we allow that to uplift ourselves.
Virtue
Virtue is most in line with emotions of awe when it is in combination with a higher power. A great moral standing of a person is extremely remarkable and we naturally place that person in high regard; however, the vastness of virtue is most accessible when a God or supreme power is present. In fact, in the context of this type of awe experience, most of history has come to understand the emotion of awe. Religious and spiritual contexts provide countless examples of awe; to name a few: ancient Greek and Roman encounters with their gods, Moses hearing the voice of God in a burning bush, God’s revelation to the prophet Muhammad, and even everyday persons’ encounters with the Holy Spirit or a sense of oneness with all other things.
These types of awe experiences can produce a complicated combination of emotions; for example, confusion and powerlessness, but also self-transcendence and increased vigor for life.
Supernatural Causality
The virtue described above is a distinct characteristic and without a moral component, the experience is one of supernatural causality. These may be experienced when one has a vision or sees an angel or senses a ghost nearby. Still, this flavor of awe has its source in an encounter with a higher being. Simply witnessing the supernatural does not constitute a moment of awe; when there is no reason for it, it is described as being “uncanny” (Keltner & Haidt 2003).
Further empirical studies are needed to clarify the connection of this flavor of awe with well-being.
Conclusion
Where and when have you experienced awe? Leave a comment below to let us know! Would you like to experiment with a potentially “awe-full” experience? Check out Dr. Warren’s video “Epic Nightscapes” and see what aspects of awe come up for you!
"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." - Vincent Van Gogh. This is a highlight reel of my favorite nightscape timelapse scenes from the past 2-3 years, mostly from southern Utah.
References
1. Anderson, C. L., Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. (2018). Awe in nature heals: Evidence from military veterans, at-risk youth, and college students. Emotion, 18(8), 1195-1202. doi:10.1037/emo0000442; 10.1037/emo0000442.supp (Supplemental)
2. Gordon, A. M., Stellar, J. E., Anderson, C. L., McNeil, G. D., Loew, D., & Keltner, D. (2017). The dark side of the sublime: Distinguishing a threat-based variant of awe. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(2), 310-328. doi:10.1037/pspp0000120
3. Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297-314. doi:10.1080/02699930302297