{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F0f29e8e5-aa9d-4414-a62e-36406f5b2068","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"The Small Self Effect","description":"\u00a0\u201cAwesome\u201d is used so often these days\u2014at least in the US\u2014that it has almost lost its meaning. It seems that it hardly has a bigger impact than saying \u201cOh, that\u2019s nice.\u201d But, for astronauts, the truly awesome experience of seeing the Earth from space with our own eyes is transformative\u2014an 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 \u201coverview effect\u201d to describe this experience. But there\u2019s something with the \u201coverview\u201d label that never sat well with me and I couldn\u2019t point out why\u2014until an article titled The \u2018Small Self\u2019 Effect and the research it referred to caught my attention.\u00a0In this episode, you\u2019ll 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\u2019s 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\u2014from families and communities to countries and humankind.\u00a0\u201c\u2018Feeling small, blissfully overwhelmed, more connected to others, and filled with the desire to do good towards others are the common themes in every astronaut\u2019s account of their experience of looking at the Earth from orbit.\u201d - Kathy Sullivan\u00a0This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:\u00a0\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What \u201cawesome\u201d means to astronauts\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Frank White\u2019s Overview Effect\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What \u201cawe\u201d means to psychologists\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The small self effect and how awe may have a vital social function\u00a0Resources Mentioned:\u00a0\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Atlantic | The \u2018Small Self\u2019 Effect (https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/02/nasa-apollo-mission-webb-telescope-space-awe/673041/) by Shannon Stirone\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior (https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspi0000018.pdf)\u00a0Our Favorite Quotes:\u00a0\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe vast panorama out my window triggered a feeling of awe unlike any I have ever known. That\u2019s 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.\u201d - Kathy Sullivan\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBe filled with that blissful awe. Shift with the small self, understand our shared fate, and care more deeply about each other.\u201d - Kathy Sullivan\u00a0Spaceship Not Required\u00a0I\u2019m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.\u00a0I\u2019m an explorer, and that doesn\u2019t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.\u00a0In 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.\u00a0Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.\u00a0Visit my website at (http://kathysullivanexplores.com)kathysullivanexplores.com (http://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!\u00a0Don\u2019t forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts!","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/1dfd0129-13dd-4580-97c9-75e77f559ffc/1472142-1680641322.jpg"}