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Awe Expands People's Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Rudd, Melanie

    (Stanford University)

  • Vohs, Kathleen D.

    (University of MN)

  • Aaker, Jennifer

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

When do people feel as if they are rich in time? Not often, research and daily experience suggest. However, three experiments showed that participants who felt awe, relative to other emotions, felt they had more time available (Experiments 1, 3) and were less impatient (Experiment 2). Participants who experienced awe were also more willing to volunteer their time to help others (Experiment 2), more strongly preferred experiences over material products (Experiment 3), and experienced a greater boost in life satisfaction (Experiment 3). Mediation analyses revealed that these changes in decision making and well-being were due to awe's ability to alter the subjective experience of time. Experiences of awe bring people into the present moment, which underlies awe's capacity to adjust time perception, influence decisions, and make life feel more satisfying than it would otherwise.

Suggested Citation

  • Rudd, Melanie & Vohs, Kathleen D. & Aaker, Jennifer, 2012. "Awe Expands People's Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being," Research Papers 2095, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:stabus:2095
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    File URL: http://gsbapps.stanford.edu/researchpapers/library/RP2095-1.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi & Jeremy Hunter, 2003. "Happiness in Everyday Life: The Uses of Experience Sampling," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 185-199, June.
    2. repec:pri:cepsud:125krueger is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Strober, Myra H & Weinberg, Charles B, 1980. "Strategies Used by Working and Nonworking Wives to Reduce Time Pressures," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 6(4), pages 338-348, March.
    4. Daniel Kahneman & Alan B. Krueger & David Schkade & Norbert Schwarz & Arthur A. Stone, 2006. "Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer? A Focusing Illusion," Working Papers 77, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    5. Daniel Kahneman & Alan B. Krueger & David Schkade & Norbert Schwarz & Arthur A. Stone, 2006. "Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer? A Focusing Illusion," Working Papers 77, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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