Dr. Dacher Keltner, a leading psychologist, discusses the science of emotions, focusing on awe, social bonding, and their health benefits. Awe, triggered by shifting perception from small to vast, can be cultivated through nature, music, and social experiences. Emotional expressions like teasing and embarrassment play key roles in social bonding. The conversation also explores the impact of technology, psychedelics, and community on emotional well-being.
Dr. Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology and co-director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, shares profound insights into the science of emotions, particularly awe, and their role in social bonding and health. This article distills his extensive research and conversation with Dr. Andrew Huberman, highlighting how awe and emotional connection can be cultivated and their transformative effects.
Awe is often described as a feeling of being overwhelmed or lifted, a sensation that expands our perception from the small to the vast. Dr. Keltner explains that awe is not elusive but occurs when our perception shifts dramatically, such as when we encounter a new horizon, a vast natural vista, or a profound idea.
Dr. Keltner advocates for practices like the "awe walk," where individuals slow down, deepen their breathing, and consciously shift their attention from small details to vast patterns in nature or their environment. Examples include:
These practices increase feelings of kindness, reduce physical pain, and improve brain health over time.
While traditional psychology focused on six basic emotions, recent research expands this to about 20 distinct emotional states, including laughter, love, compassion, embarrassment, and awe. These emotions are expressed through complex facial and bodily motor patterns, many of which are hardwired and universal across cultures.
Teasing among male friends, often seen as brutal, actually serves a social bonding function. It helps establish group norms and signals commitment to the collective. Embarrassment, characterized by blushing and gaze aversion, signals empathy and moral virtue, increasing trust and likability within groups.
Emotions are experienced and expressed through a triad of feeling, motor patterns (like facial expressions and body language), and language. These components can sometimes be disconnected, influenced by cultural norms or individual differences.
Music is a powerful inducer of awe, connecting individuals to vast ideas and collective identities. Concerts and sporting events create shared emotional experiences, synchronizing brain and heart rhythms among participants, fostering a sense of unity and collective consciousness.
Dr. Keltner shares personal anecdotes about the transformative power of music and live events, emphasizing their role in creating lasting bonds and profound emotional experiences.
While technology and social media have democratized access to information and culture, they often inhibit awe by fragmenting attention and fostering self-focus. The algorithms tend to privilege content that divides rather than unites, reducing opportunities for shared awe and connection.
However, there is potential for technology, including AI, to be harnessed to foster awe and community if designed intentionally to promote shared experiences and emotional connection.
Community activities such as farmers markets, yoga classes, and group exercise foster social bonding and awe. These activities have been linked to increased life expectancy and improved mental and physical health.
Dr. Keltner highlights the importance of integrating art, nature, music, and social interaction in communal spaces to cultivate awe and collective well-being.
Psychedelic substances like LSD and psilocybin, when used responsibly and in guided settings, can induce profound experiences of awe, dissolving the sense of self and enhancing feelings of connection to life and nature. These experiences have shown promise in treating mental health conditions such as PTSD, addiction, and depression.
However, caution is advised, especially for individuals with a history of psychosis or bipolar disorder. The cultural and indigenous origins of these substances should be respected.
In an era marked by increased self-focus, social fragmentation, and technological distractions, cultivating awe offers a path to reconnect with ourselves, others, and the natural world. Awe fosters kindness, reduces anxiety, and promotes a sense of belonging.
Dr. Keltner is actively involved in initiatives like "Cities of Awe," aiming to redesign urban spaces to incorporate elements that inspire awe and community.
Dr. Dacher Keltner's work illuminates the profound impact of awe and emotional connection on our health and social lives. By understanding and cultivating these experiences, we can enhance our well-being, foster deeper bonds, and create more compassionate communities. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, awe offers a powerful tool to reconnect with what truly matters.
For those interested in exploring further, Dr. Keltner's book on awe and his research at the Greater Good Science Center provide valuable resources. Embracing awe in daily life is not only scientifically supported but also deeply enriching for the human spirit.
