Awe audiobook cover - The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

Awe

The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

Dacher Keltner

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Categories:
Mindfulness & HappinessMotivation & InspirationPsychology

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Awe
Core Concept+
Improves Well-being+
Enhances Cognition+
Broadens Worldviews+
Grounds You in the Present+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
How does experiencing awe fundamentally shift our perspective, according to the text?
  • A. It helps us focus intensely on solving our immediate personal problems.
  • B. It makes us realize our problems are small by mentally readjusting our place in the world.
  • C. It encourages us to detach from reality and ignore the difficulties of daily life.
  • D. It primarily triggers a competitive drive to conquer natural and complex environments.
Question 2 of 6
Beyond psychological benefits, how does experiencing awe positively impact physical health?
  • A. It increases adrenaline production, leading to higher energy levels.
  • B. It stimulates the growth of new neural pathways in the motor cortex.
  • C. It is linked to lower levels of inflammation associated with chronic health conditions.
  • D. It increases the body's metabolic rate, aiding in physical fitness.
Question 3 of 6
What effect does awe have on a person's cognitive abilities and learning?
  • A. It narrows our focus, allowing for deep memorization of highly specific data.
  • B. It enhances learning and retention, making people more likely to remember information.
  • C. It replaces logical thinking with purely emotional responses, hindering academic performance.
  • D. It temporarily suspends critical thinking so the brain can rest and recover.
Question 4 of 6
Why does experiencing awe tend to increase empathy and prosocial behavior, such as helping others in need?
  • A. It makes us feel guilty about our own privilege and drives us to compensate.
  • B. It triggers a survival instinct that relies heavily on group conformity.
  • C. It distracts us from our own biases, temporarily making us forget our prejudices.
  • D. It helps us realize we are part of a bigger picture and that our actions impact others.
Question 5 of 6
Which of the following best describes the text's advice on cultivating awe in everyday life?
  • A. Awe must be reserved for rare, once-in-a-lifetime experiences to maintain its emotional power.
  • B. You must travel to universally revered mountains or monuments at least once a year.
  • C. You can experience awe frequently by slowing down and noticing small details, like the patterns on a leaf.
  • D. Awe is best cultivated by entirely avoiding stressful situations and negative news.
Question 6 of 6
What is the 'overview effect' elicited by awe, as described in the text?
  • A. The ability to see the bigger picture, understand our place in the world, and appreciate the present moment.
  • B. A psychological defense mechanism that prevents us from thinking about our own mortality.
  • C. The tendency to evaluate our entire life's achievements when faced with natural disasters.
  • D. A state of mind where we prioritize long-term planning over short-term gratification.

Awe — Full Chapter Overview

Awe Summary & Overview

Awe (2023) is a deep dive into this elusive emotion. Drawing on new research, it shows how awe can improve your mood, well-being, cognitive abilities, and relationships with others. 

Who Should Listen to Awe?

  • Stressed individuals in need of a mood boost
  • Those curious about the power of emotions
  • Urban dwellers craving more meaning in life

About the Author: Dacher Keltner

Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on emotions, social hierarchies, and power. He has written several books, including Born to be Good and The Power Paradox.

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