The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Awe motivates authentic-self pursuit via self-transcendence: Implications for prosociality

Awe motivates authentic-self pursuit via self-transcendence: Implications for prosociality
Awe motivates authentic-self pursuit via self-transcendence: Implications for prosociality
We propose that the emotion of awe (i.e., challenge that exceeds the scope of one’s mental structures, requiring cognitive accommodation) awakens self-transcendence (i.e., reaching beyond one’s self-boundary), which in turn invigorates pursuit of the authentic self (i.e., alignment with one’s true self). This process has implications for prosociality. We supported our theoretical model in 14 studies (N = 4438) using distinct awe manipulations or measures, employing different assessments of authentic-self pursuit, testing participants both in laboratory and field settings, and involving samples from both collectivistic and individualistic cultures. In Studies 1-2 (N = 828), dispositional awe was positively associated with authentic self-pursuit, and induced awe motivated authentic-self pursuit. In Studies 2-9 (N = 2461), dispositional awe was positively associated with, and induced awe strengthened, authentic-self pursuit via self-transcendence. These effects were independent of pride and happiness. In Study 10 (N = 281), self-smallness (i.e., a sense of self as small and insignificant), albeit induced by awe, did not account for the unique effects of awe on authentic self-pursuit via self-transcendence. Finally, in Studies 11-14 (N = 868), awe-induced authentic self-pursuit was linked with higher general prosociality, but lower inauthentic prosociality. The findings invite a re-examination of awe’s relation with the self, while highlighting the complexity and intricacy of that relation.
awe, authentic self, self-transcendence, prosociality, small self
0022-3514
1-64
Jiang, Tonglin
bb85a7ba-25b6-4a5f-8be6-9a871dbec888
Sedikides, Constantine
9d45e66d-75bb-44de-87d7-21fd553812c2
Jiang, Tonglin
bb85a7ba-25b6-4a5f-8be6-9a871dbec888
Sedikides, Constantine
9d45e66d-75bb-44de-87d7-21fd553812c2

Jiang, Tonglin and Sedikides, Constantine (2021) Awe motivates authentic-self pursuit via self-transcendence: Implications for prosociality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1-64. (doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/8QYC2). (In Press)

Record type: Article

Abstract

We propose that the emotion of awe (i.e., challenge that exceeds the scope of one’s mental structures, requiring cognitive accommodation) awakens self-transcendence (i.e., reaching beyond one’s self-boundary), which in turn invigorates pursuit of the authentic self (i.e., alignment with one’s true self). This process has implications for prosociality. We supported our theoretical model in 14 studies (N = 4438) using distinct awe manipulations or measures, employing different assessments of authentic-self pursuit, testing participants both in laboratory and field settings, and involving samples from both collectivistic and individualistic cultures. In Studies 1-2 (N = 828), dispositional awe was positively associated with authentic self-pursuit, and induced awe motivated authentic-self pursuit. In Studies 2-9 (N = 2461), dispositional awe was positively associated with, and induced awe strengthened, authentic-self pursuit via self-transcendence. These effects were independent of pride and happiness. In Study 10 (N = 281), self-smallness (i.e., a sense of self as small and insignificant), albeit induced by awe, did not account for the unique effects of awe on authentic self-pursuit via self-transcendence. Finally, in Studies 11-14 (N = 868), awe-induced authentic self-pursuit was linked with higher general prosociality, but lower inauthentic prosociality. The findings invite a re-examination of awe’s relation with the self, while highlighting the complexity and intricacy of that relation.

Text
Jiang & Sedikides, 2021, JPSP
Download (396kB)

More information

Accepted/In Press date: 2 October 2021
Keywords: awe, authentic self, self-transcendence, prosociality, small self

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 452589
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/452589
ISSN: 0022-3514
PURE UUID: a54d4f99-ce9c-476e-8b3e-89f44fcbec2e
ORCID for Constantine Sedikides: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4036-889X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 11 Dec 2021 11:28
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 02:49

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Tonglin Jiang

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×