Not Nature Exposure but Awe Promotes Cooperation in Social Dilemmas

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the experience of awe and cooperative behavior, with a particular focus on the mediating role of the small-self concept. Theoretical framework: Drawing on social-psychological and emotion theories, this study proposed an integrative model that includes two key variables: the experience of awe, elicited by various stimuli, and the small-self concept. It hypothesized that individuals who experience awe would exhibit increased cooperative behavior and that the small-self concept would mediate this relationship. Method: Across three studies, diverse methodologies and measures were employed, including Common-Pool Resource Dilemmas and Public Goods Games, to assess levels of cooperation. The Awe Scale and Perceived Self-Size Scale were also utilized to measure awe and the small-self concept, respectively. In total, 320 participants were engaged in the study, being assigned to different experimental and control conditions. Results and conclusion: The results consistently demonstrated that the experience of awe led to an increased willingness to cooperate across all studies. It was also discovered that the small-self concept played a complete mediating role in the relationship between the experience of awe and cooperative behavior, confirming the hypotheses. These findings remained robust even when different awe-inducing stimuli were employed, such as pictures of nature, images of architecture, or videos of an infant. Search implications: Our findings underscore the importance of the awe experience as a potential driver of cooperative behavior. The results contribute to a better understanding of the emotional and cognitive processes underlying cooperation, suggesting that fostering awe experiences in individuals may be a promising avenue for promoting cooperative behavior. Future research should explore the practical applications of our findings in fields such as conflict resolution, environmental conservation, and social cooperation. Originality value: This research uniquely contributes to the literature by integrating the concept of awe and small-self within the context of cooperative behavior. It adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms that influence cooperative behavior. This study presents a novel approach by examining the mediating role of the small-self concept, offering new insights into how awe experiences can impact cooperation.