TRENTON, NJ – If you haven’t heard, there’s a solar eclipse today, and by all accounts, strange things usually happen during an eclipse.
In ancient times, humans didn’t know how to react during an eclipse or what it meant. Today, people know the science behind an eclipse, but it sometimes does bring out the worst in people.
For instance, everyone knows not to look directly into the sun during an eclipse, but many will.
In one New York town, police ask people not to stop their cars in traffic to view the eclipse.
“Please expect an increase in traffic today for the solar eclipse. Please don’t stop on the roadway during the eclipse and be alert for pedestrians walking in the area,” the North Tonawanda Police Department reminded people.
In New Jersey, some school districts are closing because of the eclipse. Some politicians have declared a state of emergency due to the solar eclipse, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
But why do people act so strangely during a solar eclipse?
Solar eclipses, captivating celestial events, significantly impact human behavior and social dynamics, fostering feelings of awe and promoting prosocial tendencies. During a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely obscures the sun, casting a shadow over Earth, individuals experience a profound sense of awe, leading to a unique psychological state. This state is characterized by a “sense of wrongness,” primal fear, and an overwhelming feeling of awe due to the sudden darkness and the visibility of the sun’s corona. This intense experience can elicit a deep emotional response, making individuals feel connected to humanity and the universe, subsequently leading to a euphoric state and a strong desire to repeat the experience (Greater Good).
Research has demonstrated that awe-inspiring events like solar eclipses can enhance prosocial behavior, humility, and collective focus. A study analyzing Twitter data around the 2017 North American solar eclipse found that individuals within the eclipse’s path exhibited increased prosociality and awe compared to those outside the path. This increased use of awe-related words and expressions of collective focus and affiliative language suggests that solar eclipses can foster a greater sense of community and empathy among individuals. These findings underscore the powerful social effects of celestial phenomena, highlighting how such events can bring people together and encourage a greater care for and affiliation with others (PsyPost – Psychology News).