A tale of self-transcendence: awe fosters optimism
Journal of Positive Psychology August 21, 2024 Xinyu Pan, Tonglin Jiang
Awe, a self-transcendent emotion, fosters optimism by promoting a sense of self-transcendence. Four experiments showed that experiencing awe boosted optimism more than amusement, and that this effect was driven by self-transcendence rather than feelings of self-smallness. The findings suggest that cultivating awe can enhance optimism through self-transcendence.