Priming and Content for Awe: A Multimodal Study of Self-Report, Time Perception, and Physiological Responses to Awe-Eliciting Virtual Reality.

This study investigated how awe-inspiring content and awe-primed expectations shape emotional experiences across subjective, behavioural, and physiological dimensions. In a two-part study (N=82), participants experienced virtual reality simulations designed to evoke either awe or calmness, while being primed to expect either awe-inspiring or calming experiences. We measured self-reported awe, duration perception, heart-related metrics, and electrodermal activity (EDA). Results revealed a dissociation between content and priming effects: VR content consistently influenced self-reported awe, with awe-inducing simulations generating stronger subjective ratings regardless of priming. In contrast, priming primarily affected physiological responses, particularly measures associated with sympathetic activation (HRV LF) and overall autonomic activity (SDNN). Though all experiences were underestimated in duration, time perception was most accurate for calm content with calm priming. EDA showed minimal responsiveness to our manipulations, with only very low frequency components showing higher values for awe experiences. These findings suggest awe operates through parallel processing pathways: a content-driven path affecting conscious experience and a priming-sensitive path influencing physiological responses. This dissociation highlights the multidimensional nature of awe and demonstrates how expectations and perceptual stimuli differentially impact dimensions of awe. The observed pattern of sympathetic and parasympathetic co-activation during awe suggests a state of "relaxed alertness" that may be characteristic of this complex emotion.