I am looking for a word that describes the shared emotional aura that’s around a group of people.
For example, if you were to hang out with friends, even though you might not feel great, the combined aura of everybody being glad to see each other makes them happier, even if it’s only while they are there.
Another example would be the feeling of authority when entering the office of a person of higher power.
I suggest atmosphere
noun a surrounding or pervading mood, environment, or influence
"The atmosphere of the happy gathering made me forget my worries, if only for the moment."
"The tense atmosphere was evident when our boss entered the conference room to discuss our recent performance"
If a phrase is acceptable, you may find the figurative expression in the air useful.
TFD:
in the air
Fig. everywhere; all about.There is such a feeling of joy in the air.
We felt a sense of tension in the air.
My answer is similar to the others that came before mine: air — specifically, the idiom “air of”:
- outward appearance of a thing <an air of luxury>
- a surrounding or pervading influence : atmosphere <an air of mystery>
- the look, appearance, or bearing of a person especially as expressive of some personal quality or emotion : demeanor <an air of dignity>
- an artificial or affected manner <put on airs>
manner or appearance:
Examples:
- She has an air of confidence about her.
- He had a slight air of menace which I found unsettling.
- I just assumed he owned the place – he had a proprietary air about him.
- The company operates out of modern offices and expensive hotel suites to create an air of respectability.
Oxford Dictionaries – English:
An impression of a quality or manner given by someone or something.
- ‘she answered with a faint air of boredom’
- ‘he leaned over with a confidential air’
- a feeling or attitude that someone has
She spoke with her usual air of authority.- the feeling that a place or situation gives you
The overgrown lawn gave the house a neglected air.
There was an air of gloom about the whole trial.
Here’s an example of usage “in the wild” that seems to match your example:
There is an air of happiness and contentment at Tuningi which soon makes one forget the stresses of life. …
— Review of Tuningi Safari Lodge – TripAdvisor
The verb project goes well with the phrase an air of:
Dresow knew he couldn’t look unsure of himself as he walked in. You need to “just walk in like you know what you’re doing even if you don’t,” he says. Most importantly, he needed to project an air of authority, conviction, and certainty. …
— How To Enter A Room Like A Boss, Business Insider
More examples from recent headlines:
Paris climate change talks yield first draft amid air of optimism
— The Guardian
There’s an air of menace about this campaign
— The Washington Post
(I bolded words in the above examples for emphasis.)
Related: Meaning of “a certain air of”.
The psychological term groupthink is attributed to William Whyte from a 1952 Fortune magazine article. This is based primarily on work by Carl Jung in group dynamics and by the next generation of psychoanalysts.
How about community, fellowship, or camaraderie?
From Merriam-Webster:
community: social activity : fellowship
fellowship: community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience; a company of equals or friends : association; the quality or state of being comradely
comaraderie: feeling of good friendship among the people in a group
Of these, I think comaraderie may be closest to the word you are seeking, but all three work. You feel a sense of community, a sense of fellowship, a sense of comaraderie.
For Definition #1, you could use ambience, atmosphere, vibe, good vibe, or positive vibe. The three versions of vibe could be used in the plural, for example,
The positive vibes at Sara's house last night reminded me of old times.
For Definition #2, you feel awe (noun), or you feel awed or cowed (adj.).
