From vastness to unity: Awe strengthens identity fusion

Abstract

Awe is theorized to serve a social function, enabling individuals to integrate into collaborative groups and engage in collective action. Across five studies (N = 1,124), we examined awe's role in promoting identity fusion-an apex form of group connection. Two cross-sectional studies (1a and 1b) revealed that dispositional awe predicted stronger identity fusion. Three subsequent experiments (Studies 2-5) demonstrated that awe experiences strengthened identity fusion, with analyses revealing that the small-self sense of "vastness vis-à-vis the self" provided a significant indirect pathway linking awe (vs. controls) to increased fusion. These effects replicated across varying awe manipulations (emotion recall and virtual reality), target groups (country, university, local community, and nature), and cultural contexts (Australian and American samples). Our findings suggest that awe primes a readiness to fuse with groups, creating an openness to deeper collective bonds. Importantly, rather than diminishing personal agency, awe appears to foster an interdependent alignment where personal and collective goals converge, motivating individuals to direct their capabilities toward shared goals through mutual strengthening between self and group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).