The development of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S): A multifactorial measure for a complex emotion

• Published in: The journal of positive psychology Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 474 - 488
• Main Authors: Yaden, David B., Kaufman, Scott Barry, Hyde, Elizabeth, Chirico, Alice, Gaggioli, Andrea, Zhang, Jia Wei, Keltner, Dacher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 04.07.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Awe; emotion; Emotions; Exploratory factor analysis; factor analysis; Positive emotions; scale; self-transcendent experience
• ISSN: 1743-9760; 1743-9779
• DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2018.1484940

Awe is a complex emotion composed of an appraisal of vastness and a need for accommodation. The purpose of this study was to develop a robust state measure of awe, the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S), based on the extant experimental literature. In study 1, participants (N = 501) wrote about an intense moment of awe that they had experienced and then completed a survey about their experience. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 6-factor structure, including: altered time perception (F1); self-diminishment (F2); connectedness (F3); perceived vastness (F4); physical sensations (F5); need for accommodation (F6). Internal consistency was strong for each factor (α ≥ .80). Study 2 confirmed the 6-factor structure (N = 636) using fit indices (CFI = .905; RMSEA = .054). Each factor of the AWE-S is significantly correlated with the awe items of the modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES) and Dispositional Positive Emotion Scale (D-PES). Triggers, valence, and themes associated with awe experiences are reported.