What Is It?
Awe is a complex emotion that can be difficult to define. Scholars suggest that it is a feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world. This feeling can come from various sources such as observing something that is literally physically large like the Grand Canyon, being in the presence of someone with immense prestige, being presented with a complex idea, witnessing the birth of a child or an act of kindness, or simply viewing a piece of art or listening to pieces of music. People often describe their experience of awe with words such as wonder, amazement, surprise, or transcendence.
The experience of awe can be positive or negative, though the benefits that researchers have found (e.g., better health and a greater sense of connectedness) are related to experiencing a positive form of awe not a negative form.
Most of the research on awe has been with adult populations, though there is some evidence that some of the findings might also apply to children.
A student observes his science teacher uncover a secret message that was written using lemon juice. He is amazed at what happened and wants to understand how that was possible. The student feels a sense of awe as he gains greater understanding of how things work.
Students are conducting a fundraiser for a cause they really care about when a woman at the event decides she will donate $3,000. The students feel a sense of awe at the generosity of this woman and experience a greater sense of connection to people in general.
A student who sings in the school choir gets goose-bumps and an expansive feeling in his chest when the choir sings Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The experience makes him feel connected to something larger than himself.
Why Is It Important?
According to researchers, awe is a powerful emotion with important implications for society, influencing the ways in which we relate to others and affecting our physical and psychological health. Although most of the research on awe has focused on adult populations, some studies have found similar effects of awe in children.
The experience of awe can lead students to care more about the environment.
- One study found a Virtual Reality simulation that increased awe in students also increased their desire to take steps towards protecting our ecosystem.
- Students who spend time in nature in their local communities (e.g., in undeveloped areas surrounding riverbanks) and experienced awe developed a sense of greater respect and attachment to the environment.
- Studies with adults and college-aged students have found that experiencing awe can increase individuals’ willingness to make personal sacrifices for the environment as well as their intentions to engage in pro-environmental behavior.
Awe promotes well-being in youth.
- Young people taking part in a white-water rafting adventure reported greater well-being after their participation. This increase in well-being was predicted by their reports of experiencing greater awe during the rafting adventure, rather than their experience of other positive emotions, like joy or pride.
Awe fosters a sense of belonging.
- Some research suggests that spending time in nature can increase childrens’ sense of awe and their sense of belonging.
- When adults reflect on an awe experience compared to a neutral or shame experience, they report having a greater sense of being a part of a collective.
Awe might encourage greater learning.
- A study found that students taking part in an awe-inducing experience showed greater gains in learning.
- Awe may improve our thinking. A study found that people who had just re-lived a personal experience of awe read a news article even more carefully, and analyzed it more critically, than those in a neutral mood.
Practices
![Young woman sitting on the ground and watching the stars. Stars are digital illustration.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Awe_Inspiring_Affirmations-495x270.jpg)
Awe-Inspiring Affirmations
![large number of birds flocking together at dusk](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Finding_Awe_through_Collective_Acts_of_Kindness_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Finding Awe in Collective Acts of Kindness
![Small network of pins (Thumbtack)and string, An arrangement of colorful pins linked together with string on a pale blue background suggesting a network of connections.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Contemplating_Awe_Inspiring_Systems-495x270.jpg)
Contemplating Awe-Inspiring Systems
![Student in bright orange shirt dances to the playlist she created in class.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Creating_Music_Playlists_in_the_Classroom_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Creating Musical Playlists for the Classroom
![Happy senior teacher singing with large group of elementary students whole are playing musical instruments on a lass.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/In_Harmony_with_Sound_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
In Harmony with Sound
![People doing the wave on the sport or music event.](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The_Beauty_of_Collective_Effervesence_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
The Beauty of Collective Effervescence
![Young woman with a raised fist protesting in the street](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Finding_Awe_in_Everyday_Moral_Beauty_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Finding Awe In Everyday Moral Beauty
![Cropped shot of a young woman wearing headphones against a blue background](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Letting_Music_Shape_You_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Letting Music Shape You
![A smiling black boy showing dancing with classmates](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/We_Do_Better_Dancing_Together_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
We Are Better (Dancing) Together
![white person's hand touching an ammonite print on a stone](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Mindfully_Finding_Awe_In_Nature_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Mindfully Finding Awe In Nature
![Latinx teen cheerfully photographing plants in his garden with smartphone](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Finding_Wonder_Through_Art_in_Community_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Finding Wonder through Art in Community
![La Sagrada Familia, the unrealistic cathedral designed by Gaudi](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Finding_Awe_in_Visual_Design-495x270.jpg)
Finding Awe in Visual Design
![Multiracial group of young people volunteer to plant vegetables in community garden](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Transforming_Challenges_Into_Meaningful_Pursuits_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Transforming Challenges into Meaningful Pursuits
![Extreme close up of thrashing ocean waves](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Seeking_Awe_Through_Discovery_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Sparking Discovery Through Awe
![Blurred shadow of female hand and branch of Christmas tree](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/WabiSabi_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Wabi-Sabi: Finding Beauty in the Cycles of Life
![Firefighter carrying little boy after successful rescue operation](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Inspiring_Virtue_with_Moral_Beauty-495x270.jpg)
Inspiring Virtue with Moral Beauty
![four stones painted with mandalas](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Awe_Is_All_Around_Us_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Awe Is All Around Us
![Small blue box tied with gold ribbon on yellow background](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Life_Is_A_Gift_1340x720-495x270.jpg)
Life is a Gift
![Enroll in one of our online courses](https://ggie.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Online_Course_Announcement_1200x800-495x265.jpg)
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