Week 12 Flashcards
What is PSYOPS?
Planned influence of behaviors/attitudes of target groups, often in military or political contexts.
What are the goals of PSYOPS?
- Demoralize/confuse hostile groups
- Unite/influence friendly groups
- Encourage cooperation
What are the three levels of PSYOPS?
- Strategic – Long-term national goals
- Operational – Midterm regional campaigns
- Tactical – Battlefield, short-term goals
What are the three levels of deception in PSYOPS?
- White PSYOPS – Clear source, mostly truthful
- Grey PSYOPS – Ambiguous source, semi-truthful
- Black PSYOPS – False source, deceptive
What methods do military PSYOPS units use?
Leaflets, radio, loudspeakers, direct contact (calls/emails to enemy leaders)
How effective were PSYOPS in the Gulf War?
70% of those who surrendered said PSYOPS influenced their decision.
What is the difference between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation?
Misinformation – False but not meant to harm
Disinformation – False and intended to deceive
Malinformation – True but manipulated to mislead
What are modern propaganda tactics?
Fake media outlets, deepfakes, AI influencers, bot armies, troll farms
What is the focus of political research?
Mainly American politics, news, and advertising.
What are the two models of media influence?
Direct Effects Model: Media shapes beliefs.
Limited Effects Model: Media has little effect on forming attitudes but can increase extremity
What is agenda setting?
The media influences which issues the public sees as important.
What is issue priming?
News coverage affects how politicians are evaluated.
How does issue priming affect presidential approval?
If media focuses on an issue a president handles well, approval rises.
If media highlights a weak area, approval drops.
What are the two types of issue framing?
Episodic Framing: Focuses on specific cases (e.g., a single homeless person).
Thematic Framing: Focuses on broader societal factors (e.g., economic conditions).
What is issue ownership?
The idea that certain parties are seen as better at handling specific issues.
Do attack ads work?
They can decrease voter turnout by discouraging participation.
What is “stealing thunder”?
Revealing damaging information about yourself before others do to reduce its impact.
