We feel admiration when someone else's accomplishments or character inspire us.

We can also feel admiration for things, like art, nature, etc. It doesn't lead us to want to emulate or copy the thing or person we admire. Instead, it makes us want to become better.

Admiration is thought to promote social learning and transmission of knowledge by pushing us to pay attention to or emulate people we consider as models (see work by Ines Schindler, Juliane Paech & Fabian Löwenbrück.)

From a different angle, admiration can sometimes be expressed as praise. According to Carol Dweck, children who are receiving praise can develop a "fixed mindset" (as opposed to a "growth mindset") which can lead to reduced self-esteem and motivation.