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. 2024 Feb 6:15:1336068.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1336068. eCollection 2024.

The effects of awe on interpersonal forgiveness: the mediating role of small-self

Suxia Liao  1 , Yichang Liu  1 , Bo Yuan  1
Affiliations

The effects of awe on interpersonal forgiveness: the mediating role of small-self

Suxia Liao et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Awe could increase prosocial behavior, but little is known about its effects on interpersonal forgiveness. This study aims to explore the potential impact of awe on interpersonal forgiveness and the underlying mechanism of this process, using a combination of questionnaires, economic game and computational modeling. In Study 1, we utilized Trait Awe Scale (TAS) and Forgiveness Trait Scale (FTS) to examine the association between trait awe and trait forgiveness. In Study 2, we employed pre-screened video to induce awe, happy and neutral emotions, then evaluated the effects of induced awe on small-self and interpersonal forgiveness in hypothetical interpersonal offensive situations (Study 2a) and two economic interaction situations (Study 2b). Results from Study 1 indicate that there is a positive correlation between trait awe and trait forgiveness. Study 2 reveal that awe can enhance interpersonal forgiveness in both interpersonal conflict situations and economic interaction situations, and this effect is mediated by the sense of small-self elicited by awe. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of the potential impact of awe on interpersonal forgiveness and provide valuable insights into the mechanisms through which awe may influence forgiveness. Further research in this area could help to elucidate the potential applications of awe-based interventions in promoting forgiveness and positive social interactions.

Keywords: awe; computational modeling; economic game; interpersonal forgiveness; small-self.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scatter plot depicting the relationship between trait awe and interpersonal forgiveness.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Illustration of self-size scale in Study 2a.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Interpersonal forgiveness levels under different emotional conditions.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mediation effect of small-self between awe and interpersonal forgiveness in the hypothetical interpersonal offensive situation (**p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001).
Figure 5
Figure 5
The mediation effect of small-self. ACME, average causal mediation effect; ADE, average direct effect.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The posterior distributions of the difference in the sensitivity to provocation parameters α between the awe happy and neutral conditions. The red line indicates the 95% HDI. The effect is significant if the red line does not overlap zero. (A) Illustrate that there is a significant difference in sensitivity to provocation between Awe and Nertral. (B) Illustrate that there is a significant difference in sensitivity to provocation between Awe and Happy. (C) Illustrate that there is a significant difference in sensitivity to provocation between Happy and Nertral.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Mediation effect of small-self between awe and interpersonal forgiveness in the hypothetical interpersonal offensive situation (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01).
Figure 8
Figure 8
The mediation effect of small-self. ACME, average causal mediation effect; ADE, average direct effect.
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