Final answer:
Jonathan Edwards aimed to evoke intense fear and religious fervor through his sermon, leading to emotional responses and sparking the Great Awakening.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, intended to evoke a powerful psychological effect on his listeners. By invoking the vivid imagery of hell and divine wrath, Edwards sought to instill a deep sense of fear and urgency in his audience, pushing them to repent for their sins and turn towards religious fervor. The emotional reactions to his sermon were intense, resulting in weeping, shouting, and even fainting during the religious revival meetings. This reflected the larger evangelical movement known as the Great Awakening, which emphasized personal piety and a direct emotional engagement with one's faith.