Study: Awe-Inspiring Experiences Change Our Perception of Time

The Atlantic ^ | 7-23-15 | Madeleine Kruhly

[TurboZamboni]

Although the study looks to investigate several aspects of this emotion, the initial -- and perhaps most intriguing-- hypothesis is pretty striking: the experience of awe will expand your perception of time. In order to prove this theory, and to better understand the effects of awe on the human psyche, scientists Rudd, Vohs, and Aaker conducted three experiments. The first was to test the aforementioned hypothesis that awe can alter time perception; participants unscrambled sentences, watched commercials (with large, striking images), and answered questions about personal beliefs in order to create a perceived time availability index.

Having participants write narratives about personal experiences and answer filler items about their willingness to volunteer time or donate money to certain charitable tasks, the second experiment was then performed to evaluate whether awe could make time seem more "plentiful." In parallel with these first two tests, the third experiment looked to see if life satisfaction might be affected by awe. It also focused on whether participants might choose material goods over an experience.

[TurboZamboni]

Studies find the emotion of awe may make people more empathetic, trusting, generous and humble

http://www.wsj.com/articles/researchers-study-awe-and-find-it-is-good-for-relationships-1424717882

The Value of Awe

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3294216/posts

We could all use more...

[I want the USA back]

There is no perception of time. There is no “time-sense.” There are estimates as to how many minutes or hours have elapsed. These estimates are not reliable and have no reason to be reliable.

[Savage Beast]

Maybe so, but I have experienced awe many times since I was a very small child, and their conclusions are generally correct in my experience.

Aw! Awe is awesome!

[LambSlave]

I would have to disagree that there is no “time-sense”. My stupid human trick is the ability to guess the time very accurately with no clocks, night or day, even when in underground facilities with no temporal cues. I’m usually within a few minutes, even if asked upon waking. It is not a concious effort, totally sub-concious, I just know what time it is. I have also never had to set an alarm clock, I just wake up at the time I need to. For the past few years, I wake up every morning at 0500 on weekdays and 0700 on weekends, also plus or minus a few minutes, and I’ve never been late for work.

[Jack Hammer]

Not always true.

In fact, the interminable wait for Obama to get his arse out of the White House causes time to expand very nearly to infinity.

[Popman]

My stupid human trick is the ability to guess the time very accurately with no clocks, night or day, even when in underground facilities with no temporal cues. I’m usually within a few minutes, even if asked upon waking.

I'm the same way...I think many (normal) males are...I think we are wired that way...

Very few times will I not know the approximate time it is...

Most times, I'm within 10 or so minutes of the actual time...

I'm the same way with direction...N, E, S , W ...

Basically, I know what direction I am heading at any given time...