Awe, Uncertainty, and Agency Detection

@article{Valdesolo2014AweUA,
  title={Awe, Uncertainty, and Agency Detection},
  author={Piercarlo Valdesolo and Jesse Graham},
  journal={Psychological Science},
  year={2014},
  volume={25},
  pages={170 - 178}
}
Across five studies, we found that awe increases both supernatural belief (Studies 1, 2, and 5) and intentional-pattern perception (Studies 3 and 4)—two phenomena that have been linked to agency detection, or the tendency to interpret events as the consequence of intentional and purpose-driven agents. Effects were both directly and conceptually replicated, and mediational analyses revealed that these effects were driven by the influence of awe on tolerance for uncertainty. Experiences of awe… 
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153 Citations
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