Awe Sparks Prosociality in Children.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Two preregistered randomized experimental studies with active and neutral controls
PubMed 36745740 · doi:10.1177/09567976221150616
What was done
In two preregistered experiments (Study 1: N = 159; Study 2: N = 353), children aged 8 to 13 years watched movie clips designed to elicit awe, joy, or a neutral state. The researchers measured prosocial behaviors directed toward an out-group (refugees), specifically time spent on an effortful task (Study 1) and donation of experimental earnings (Studies 1 and 2), alongside respiratory sinus arrhythmia to evaluate parasympathetic nervous system activation.
What was found
Children viewing the awe-eliciting clip were more likely to spend time on the effortful task and to donate their earnings to refugees compared to joy and neutral control conditions. They also demonstrated increased respiratory sinus arrhythmia. The abstract reports directional findings only and does not provide exact numerical effect sizes, test statistics, or p-values.
Why it matters
This paper demonstrates that awe promotes prosocial behavior toward out-groups during childhood and links this emotional state to physiological markers of social engagement.
Limits
No exact numbers, effect sizes, or confidence intervals are reported in the abstract. Prosociality was tested in brief laboratory paradigms toward a single target group (refugees), and the duration of these behavioral effects was not assessed.
Cited by
- supports Experiencing awe leads to reduced systemic inflammation and elevated vagal tone.
- supports Awe quiets the brain's default mode network and activates vagal tone.