Elevation refers to the superior movement of the shoulder girdle, as in shrugging the shoulders.
In psychology, elevation refers to the feeling of warmth, gratitude, admiration, and moral inspiration that arises when witnessing acts of moral excellence or virtues in others. It is often associated with a sense of awe, and it can lead to a sense of greater connection to others and to the world.
Examples of experiences that can elicit elevation include witnessing acts of kindness, compassion, generosity, selflessness, forgiveness, courage, and moral beauty. For instance, seeing a stranger help an elderly person cross the street, observing a teacher who goes above and beyond to help a student, or watching a soldier who risked his or her life to save others can all evoke feelings of elevation.
Research has suggested that experiencing elevation can have a range of positive effects on individuals, including increasing their sense of connectedness to others, fostering prosocial behavior and attitudes, promoting greater life satisfaction, and enhancing physical health.