The Influence of Awe on Prosociality: Psychological Mechanisms across Higher- and Lower- SES Individuals

Abstract: Awe is widely recognized as a prosocial emotion. Both theoretical and empirical research indicate that awe enhances prosociality by triggering the "small self" and the pursuit of "authentic self." First, due to the clear contrast between the "small self" mechanism and the "authentic self" mechanism, their relationship needs to be examined. Additionally, research findings on how awe impacts different SES groups remain mixed. Finally, few studies have addressed whether SES influences individuals’ experiences of different types of awe. To fill these gaps, in five studies (N = 1,114), we examined the parallel indirect effects of awe on prosociality through small self and the pursuit of authentic-self, as well as the moderating role of SES on these two mediating effects. Additionally, we explored the impact of SES on the frequency and aftereffects of different types of awe experiences.
In Study 1, a large-scale survey was conducted to investigate the relationship between awe and prosociality, and to test the parallel mediating roles of the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self in the effect of awe on prosociality. In Study 2a, a 14-day diary study was conducted to examine whether SES moderated the impact of daily awe experiences on the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self. Study 2b manipulated SES and awe to test whether SES moderated the mediating effects of the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self, as well as SES differences in the frequency of aesthetics and ability-based awe experiences. Studies 3a and 3b manipulated SES and specific types of awe (aesthetics awe vs. ability awe vs. a specific positive emotion) to test whether SES moderated the mediating effects of different types of awe on prosociality through the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self.
We found that awe has a significant positive indirect effect on prosociality through the parallel mechanisms of the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self (Study 1). SES moderated the positive effects of awe on the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self (Studies 2a and 2b). Specifically, the effect of awe on the small self was more pronounced among lower-class individuals, while the effect of awe on the pursuit of authentic-self was more pronounced among higher-class individuals, subsequently leading to a positive impact on prosociality. Additionally, lower-class individuals more frequently experienced awe related to ability and threat, while higher-class individuals more frequently experienced awe related to aesthetics (Study 2a). Finally, SES moderated the positive effects of different types of awe on the small self and the pursuit of authentic-self (Studies 3a and 3b). Specifically, among lower-class individuals, the positive effect of ability awe on the small self was more significant, though its impact on prosocial variable was not significant. In contrast, among higher-class individuals, the positive effect of aesthetics awe on the pursuit of authentic-self was more pronounced, leading to a positive influence on their prosociality.
These studies reveal two mechanisms through which awe influences prosociality and their relationship within a comprehensive self-framework. Additionally, the research deepens the understanding of the mixed effects of SES moderating awe’s impact on individual prosociality, suggesting that these mixed effects may be related to the prominent psychological mechanisms in current social conditions. Finally, the studies highlight that ability awe (or aesthetics awe) has a unique role in triggering the psychological mechanisms of lower (or higher) SES individuals. Therefore, we propose that inducing different awe experiences for different SES groups could be a potential intervention to promote prosocial behavior. The findings contribute to a better understanding of awe’s important role as a positive emotion in fostering prosociality.