PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE

Understanding Propaganda
 PROPAGANDA: Definition/Concept

• Translated from the Latin-word ‗gerundive‘ – (things that must be disseminated)

• ―Propaganda consists of the planned use of any form of public or mass-produced

communication designed to affect the minds and emotions of a given group for a specific
purpose, whether military, economic, or political.‖
Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
Psychological Warfare
PROPAGANDA: Types (…II) White – Grey
– Black

• White propaganda is issued from an

acknowledged source... This type of propaganda
is associated with overt psychological operations.
• Grey propaganda does not clearly identify any
source.
• Black propaganda purports(meaning) to
emanate(originate, comes) from a source other
than the true one. This type of propaganda is
associated with covert psychological operations.
 PROPAGANDA: Mediums commonly used
• Television (News, Talk-shows, commercials, songs, drama,
documentaries, etc)
• Cinema (Films, Documentaries)
• Radio Broadcast
• Leaflets
• Posters
• Pamphlets
• Pictures/images
• Newspaper/magazine
• Internet (Blogs, social networking websites, other websites)

- Choice of medium largely depends upon the nature of

objective (and also on the availability of resources)
FRONT: "TALIBAN WE BACK: "STOP FIGHTING FOR
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE" THE TALIBAN AND LIVE"
PROPAGANDA: Techniques
Edward Filene helped establish the Institute of Propaganda Analysis in 1937 to educate the
American public about the nature of propaganda and how to recognize propaganda
techniques. Filene and his colleagues identified the seven most common "tricks of the trade"
used by successful propagandists (Marlin 102-106: Propaganda Critic: Introduction). The
techniques identified by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis are further refined by Aaron
Delwich (A.D) on his website, Propaganda where he "discusses various propaganda
techniques, provides contemporary examples of their use, and proposes strategies of mental
self-defense."
These techniques are called:
Grouped under
• Name-calling (IPA)
• Glittering generalities (IPA) ‗word games‘
• Euphemisms (A.D)
• Transfer (IPA) False Connections
• Testimonials (IPA)
• Plain folks appeal (IPA)
• Bandwagon effect (IPA) Special Appeals
• Fear (A.D)
• Card-stacking

• Assertion
• Lesser of Two Evils
• Pin-pointing the Enemy
• Simplification (Stereotyping)