When Awe Strikes: The Ebb of Loneliness in Response to Awe and Human Connection

Abstract

The current work examined whether awe fosters social connections to either large or small collectives and, if so, if such connections predict lower loneliness. In two studies, participants watched a video designed to elicit awe or amusement and then reported their feelings of social connections to humanity, social connections to close friends, and loneliness. Findings in both studies showed that awe had an indirect effect on loneliness via social connections with humanity, such that awe (compared to amusement) triggered greater social connections to humanity, which predicted less loneliness. Implications for the awe and loneliness literatures are discussed.