9. Social Awareness Against Sexual Harassment Triggering Excitatory Cognition Could Be Negated Using a Pure Awe Experience

A universal solution for many psychological problems: In the preceding chapter, we explored the profound notion that happiness often resides within the depths of pain, shedding light on the intricate relationship between these emotional states. Now, we turn our attention to a critical issue concerning awareness campaigns aimed at addressing sexual abuse. It has become evident that conventional approaches, such as showcasing explicit abuse videos, may not yield the desired outcomes. Instead, we propose a more empathetic and effective strategy that emphasizes the power of unbiased awe experiences. Philosophically, we must recognize that solutions to complex issues like those affecting the human brain often lie outside the problem’s immediate domain. To this end, our work delves into the realm of psychological tests that extend beyond conventional techniques, as outlined here. Awareness campaigns have long been regarded as invaluable tools for advocates striving to cultivate societies rooted in peace and security. Countless research efforts have been dedicated to finding the most effective methods for instilling awareness within the human psyche. In our investigation, we meticulously chart the emotional responses elicited by awareness campaigns addressing sexual harassment in the workplace. Our findings provide compelling evidence that a profound, purely positive sense of awe has the remarkable ability to entirely counteract the arousal triggered by awareness videos. This effect is so potent that not even a negative sense of awe can diminish it. Consequently, our work reshapes the foundational understanding of designing materials for awareness campaigns. We posit that incorporating entirely unrelated, positively awe-inspiring experiences during such campaigns can effectively redirect the minds of individuals who may have become desensitized to pressing issues. Pure, positive awe possesses the potential for universal resonance, making it a potent tool for engaging even the most bewildered and resistant minds in the realm of awareness.