The Small Self Effect

Kathy Sullivan Explores

“Awesome” is used so often these days—at least in the US—that it has almost lost its meaning. It seems that it hardly has a bigger impact than saying “Oh, that’s nice.” But, for astronauts, the truly awesome experience of seeing the Earth from space with our own eyes is transformative—an experience that catalyzes the profound shift in the way we think about ourselves, our lives, and our home planet Earth. In 1987, Frank White coined the term “overview effect” to describe this experience. But there’s something with the “overview” label that never sat well with me and I couldn’t point out why—until an article titled The ‘Small Self’ Effect and the research it referred to caught my attention.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the small self effect and how the experience of looking at Earth from orbit profoundly transforms astronauts. I outline the history of Frank White’s overview effect. I describe how awe triggered the small self in me while I was in space. I also discuss how psychologists define awe and underscore how being awestruck can elicit feelings of belonging and hope that are critical to forming the cooperation and collaboration needed to form and sustain social groups—from families and communities to countries and humankind.

“‘Feeling small, blissfully overwhelmed, more connected to others, and filled with the desire to do good towards others are the common themes in every astronaut’s account of their experience of looking at the Earth from orbit.” - Kathy Sullivan

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● What “awesome” means to astronauts

● Frank White’s Overview Effect

● What “awe” means to psychologists

● The small self effect and how awe may have a vital social function

Resources Mentioned:

● The Atlantic | The ‘Small Self’ Effect by Shannon Stirone

● Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “The vast panorama out my window triggered a feeling of awe unlike any I have ever known. That’s what shrunk my sense of self and heightened my awareness about our collective identity and fate and made me want to use my experience for good.” - Kathy Sullivan

● “Be filled with that blissful awe. Shift with the small self, understand our shared fate, and care more deeply about each other.” - Kathy Sullivan

Spaceship Not Required

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.

I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.

In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.

Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.

Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improving your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures ahead!

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