Zhuoya Wang L&S Social Sciences
Awe Blurs Social Categorization by Reducing the State Empathy Gap
Awe arises — when we are standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon or listening to the soaring melodies of Beethoevn’s Symphony No. 5. In these moments, we may feel small, part of a greater human collective. Awe is a self-transcendent emotion that makes us feel integrated into broader social entities. In a broad entity, the original boundaries between “they” and “we” fade away. This raises a question: Can awe blur the distinction between outgroup (“”they””) and ingroup (“”we””) members, in other words, blur social categorization?
I will study the question in the context of empathy, specifically focusing on the empathy gap: the tendency for people to feel significantly more empathy toward ingroup than outgroup members. If awe can reduce the gap, for example, by increasing empathy toward outgroup members, it would suggest that awe does blur social categorization.
To explore awe’s impact on the empathy gap, I will conduct an online study involving both surveys and experimental manipulations. If awe helps us empathize with others more inclusively, we can one day use awe to reduce conflicts and discrimination between groups. Maybe awe brings us closer together.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much to the Leadership for sponsoring my research on awe and empathy! Your support enabled me to launch large-scale online surveys and study how awe can expand empathy to a broader circle of people. During the SURF experience, I confirmed my passion for research aimed at helping people feel more connected to one another. I am incredibly grateful for your support --- I will carry this gratitude forward to use my work to help make the world a more empathetic place.