Propaganda “ The Weapon of Influence ”

What is propaganda? Propaganda is a persuasive type of message presentation aimed at serving an agenda. Propaganda is a persuasive type of message presentation aimed at serving an agenda.

‘ Proganda ’ At its root the denotation of propaganda is ‘ to propagate (actively spread) a philosophy or point of view ’

Who is it aimed at? Propaganda is aimed at a specific audience. Propaganda is aimed at a specific audience.

The message content of propaganda is always deliberately selected and slanted to lead the audience toward a predetermined mindset that benefits the cause of the propagandists. The message content of propaganda is always deliberately selected and slanted to lead the audience toward a predetermined mindset that benefits the cause of the propagandists.

The propagandist seeks to change the way people understand an issue or situation for the purpose of changing their actions and expectations. The propagandist seeks to change the way people understand an issue or situation for the purpose of changing their actions and expectations.

Use of deception and confusion What sets propaganda apart from other forms of advocacy (communicating a set idea) is the use of deception and confusion. What sets propaganda apart from other forms of advocacy (communicating a set idea) is the use of deception and confusion.

Why is it used? The aim of propaganda is to actively influence peoples opinions rather then to merely communicate the facts about something. The aim of propaganda is to actively influence peoples opinions rather then to merely communicate the facts about something.

Propaganda is often presented in a way that attempts to deliberately evoke a strong emotion, especially by suggesting an illogical or unrealistic (to the outside observer) consequence due to the actions of a certain group. Propaganda is often presented in a way that attempts to deliberately evoke a strong emotion, especially by suggesting an illogical or unrealistic (to the outside observer) consequence due to the actions of a certain group. Eg. The Nazi ’ s claimed that the Jews caused WWI in order to bring down Germany Eg. The Nazi ’ s claimed that the Jews caused WWI in order to bring down Germany

How does it work? Propaganda most often tries to convince the public of something using a wide array of intellectual and emotional tools like love, fear, loyalty or prejudice to control the population. Propaganda most often tries to convince the public of something using a wide array of intellectual and emotional tools like love, fear, loyalty or prejudice to control the population.

Propaganda may also be transmitted implicitly or in less obvious ways. Propaganda may also be transmitted implicitly or in less obvious ways.

Propaganda can be presented in the form of a fair and open debate as objective news. Propaganda can be presented in the form of a fair and open debate as objective news. The audience is then manipulated into siding with a certain position by being informed that one position is correct and the other is wrong. The audience is then manipulated into siding with a certain position by being informed that one position is correct and the other is wrong.

It is a more subtle and sophistacated form of propaganda. It is a more subtle and sophistacated form of propaganda. It is hard to protect and to fight against. It is hard to protect and to fight against. It can be very effective. It can be very effective.

A message does not have to be untrue to be propaganda. A message does not have to be untrue to be propaganda. BUT even if the message conveys only ‘ true ’ information it will generally contain partial bias (1 groups position) BUT even if the message conveys only ‘ true ’ information it will generally contain partial bias (1 groups position) America ’ s use of the ‘ weapons of mass destruction ’ argument to justify its invasion of Iraq could be seen as an example. America ’ s use of the ‘ weapons of mass destruction ’ argument to justify its invasion of Iraq could be seen as an example.

Another common characteristic of political propaganda is the volume. (The large quantity) Another common characteristic of political propaganda is the volume. (The large quantity) Flooding the information highway is designed to: Flooding the information highway is designed to: - reinforce the idea through repetition - drown out or exclude any alternative ideas.

The use of propaganda in war. Propaganda is a mighty weapon in war. Propaganda is a mighty weapon in war. Its aim is usually to dehumanise and create hatred towards an enemy so that the community will support an act against them. Its aim is usually to dehumanise and create hatred towards an enemy so that the community will support an act against them.

Nazi propaganda had several distinct audiences: Nazi propaganda had several distinct audiences: German audience – to convince them of Hitler ’ s greatness. German audience – to convince them of Hitler ’ s greatness. Ethnic Germans – to encourage them to support amalgamation. Ethnic Germans – to encourage them to support amalgamation. Potential enemies – to ward them off. Potential enemies – to ward them off. Jews – To label them as the prime enemy and to show them their place. Jews – To label them as the prime enemy and to show them their place.

What are the common methods? Appeals to fear: Seek to build support by instilling fear in the general population. Appeals to fear: Seek to build support by instilling fear in the general population. The bandwagon approach: attempts the target audience to take the course of action “ that everyone else is taking ” The bandwagon approach: attempts the target audience to take the course of action “ that everyone else is taking ” Join the crowd Join the crowd Victory is inevitable Victory is inevitable

Direct order: simplifies the decision Direct order: simplifies the decision Generating disapproval: Persuade a target audience of an idea or action by suggesting that the idea is popular with groups that are hated. Generating disapproval: Persuade a target audience of an idea or action by suggesting that the idea is popular with groups that are hated.

Rationalise questionable beliefs: Rationalise questionable beliefs: Individuals or groups may use favourable generalities to rationalise questionable beliefs of acts. Generalities are deliberately vague so that the audience may supply their own interpretations.

Transference: Transference: The technique of projecting positive or negative qualities of an individual, group, nation etc onto another in order to make the second more acceptable or to discredit it. This technique is generally used to transfer blame from one member of a conflict to another.

Stereotyping: Stereotyping: Attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labelling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, loathes or finds undesirable.

Scapegoat Scapegoat Assigning blame to an individual or group that isn't really responsible is known as scapegoating. It allows the audience to alleviate feelings of guilt in relation to the bad treatment of the group.