Inspired by awe: Awe promotes inspiration via self-transcendence
Journal of Positive Psychology September 7, 2023 Yuwan Dai, Tonglin Jiang
Awe promotes inspiration, and this effect is explained by self-transcendence—the feeling of being part of something larger than oneself. Across five studies with 941 participants, awe increased inspiration as measured by actual behavior, ratings by others, and self-reported scales. The effect held when awe was compared with general positive emotions (amusement and happiness) and with nature, and when the awe experience was threatening. Self-transcendence consistently mediated the link between awe and inspiration.