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Towards a conceptual clarification of awe and wonder

A first person phenomenological enquiry

Current Psychology volume 40, pages 1386–1401 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Awe and wonder are precious but elusive psychological states that are difficult to research experimentally. We conducted a first person phenomenological enquiry in an effort to explore awe and wonder conceptually. Awe is typically described as a state in which vastness and the need to adjust to new information is experienced. Based on a literature review and on observations from our phenomenological exploration we propose that vastness and need to adjust are not necessary, only possible characteristics of awe and wonder. Both phenomena are characterized by a range of other critical attributes that we with explored in our enquiry, such as receptiveness and quality of attention. They can also be differentiated on a number of dimensions - for instance by the extent to which they evoke the experience of a subject/object divide. We propose a set of qualifications to the existing concepts and discuss the relevance of awe and wonder in research settings where such approach-related capacities provide an important complement to the common mindset of skepticism and critique.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Software AG Stiftung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Witten/Herdecke, 58452, Witten, Germany

    Ulrich Weger

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK

    Ulrich Weger

  3. Integrated Curriculum Anthroposophic Psychology, University of Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany

    Ulrich Weger

  4. Alanus University, Campus Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Johannes Wagemann

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  1. Ulrich Weger
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  2. Johannes Wagemann
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Correspondence to Ulrich Weger.

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Participants in this research were only the authors of the research article. No further participants were involved. Participation in this project involved no risks that went beyond the risks of normal life.

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Appendix

Appendix

Table 1 Provides a compilation of the studies reviewed; the table summarized how awe was operationalized/measured as an independent variable (IV) and a dependent variable (DV); additional parameters are also provided
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Weger, U., Wagemann, J. Towards a conceptual clarification of awe and wonder. Curr Psychol 40, 1386–1401 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-0057-7

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