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

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Awe
• emotion
• scale
• self-transcendent experience
• factor analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The two items in the dropped seventh factor merged with the sixth factor in the final solution. These two items are: ‘I had goosebumps’ and ‘I had chills.’