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INTRODUCTION

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) and propaganda are two words

that remain problematic in any discussion until today. There are so many

debates about the difference. Psychological Operations (PSYOP) and

propaganda are the two important thing for every single country in this world.

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) and propaganda seeks to

influence the use of techniques of mass persuasion to influence public

opinion at home and abroa d. Governments use it to gain support for national

policies, and especially for foreign and defence policies. They also use it to

neutralize opposition to those policies. Although such operation is directed by

government, it can be undertaken on a significant scale only with the co-

operation of mass media organizations and seeks to influence the treatment

of events. It may involve no more than the rapid dissemination of true

information across the globe. More often, it involves the dissemination of

deliberately distorted and falsified information.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS

Psychological Operations or PSYOP are planned operations to convey

selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their

emotions, motives, objective reasoning, a nd ultimately the behaviour of

foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. The purpose of

psychological operations is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and

behaviour favourable to the originator's objectives. Also called PSYOP. See

also overt peacetime psychological operations programs; perception

management. 1 A proven winner in combat and peacetime, PSYOP is one of

the oldest weapons in the arsenal of man. It is an important force

protector/combat multiplier and a non -lethal weapons system.

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) is simply learning everything

about your target enemy, their beliefs, likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses,

and vulnerabilities. Once you know what motivates your target, you are ready

to begin psychological operations . Psychological operations may be d efined

broadly as the planned use of communications to influence h uman attitudes

and behaviour. It is to create in target groups behaviour, emotions, and

attitudes that support the attainment of national objectives. The form of

communication can be as simple as spreading information covertly by word

of mouth or through any means of multimedia.

A psychological warfare campaign is a war of the mind. Your primary

weapons are sight and sound. PSYOP can be disseminated by face-to-face

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Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
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communication, audio visual means (television), audio media (radio or

loudspeaker), visual media (leaflets, newspapers, books, magazines and/or

posters). The weapon is not how it¶s sent, but the message it carries and how

that message affects the recipient. ‘‘

Historically, the application of psychological operations in one form or

another has proven to be almost as essential to the successful waging of war

as the use of manpower and weaponry. However, in spite of its long history

of successful employment, the potential for using the power of persuasion

through psychological operations as a force multiplier to achieve national

objectives with a minimum of destruction, has been recognized by only the

most perceptive of military leaders and statesmen. Furthermore, it has been

since World War II that PSYOP has come into its own as an effective weapon

system.

There are three‘types of psychological operations. The three types of

psychological operation are Tactical PSYOP, Strategic PSYOP and

Consolidation PSYOP. Tactical PSYOP is addressed to a specific enemy

combat group, to induce them to perform a specific action that will affect the

current or short-range combat situation. Aimed at a larger audience, Strategic

PSYOP is put into effect by a carefully planned campaign against a larger

target audience than that toward which Tactical PSYOP is directed.

Consolidation PSYOP¶s mission is to assist the civil and military authorities in

consolidating their gains, by establishing and maintaining law and order, and

by re-establishing civil government in an occupied or liberated area.

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All three types of psychological operations can be employed to produce the

following desired effects:

i. Reduce moral and combat efficiency within the enemy¶s ranks.

ii. Promote mass dissension within and defections from enemy

combat units and/or revolutionary cadre.

iii. Support our own and allied forces cover and deception

operations.

iv. Promote cooperation, unity and morale within one¶s own and

allied units, as well as within resistance forces behind enemy

lines.

 
PROPAGANDA

Propaganda consists of the planned use of any form of public of mass -

produced communication designed to affect the minds and emotions of a

given group for a specific purpose, whether military, economic, or political .2 In

every aspect of life, there tends to be a desire to have others see things the

way we see them. In theory, if we all share the same views and opinions, we

can unite for common goals. Propaganda consists of a communicators

objective to impose or manipulate a person, or group of people into adopting

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his ideals. Perhaps the most common place that Propaganda is used is

during times of war. Given the choice, most people would most likely not

express a love for war. Some are passionately against it, others, though not

in love with the idea, support it when it¶s necessary. Due to the raw nature of

war and people¶s reactions to it, there seems to be some force working to

mask the negative feelings towards war and unite people in support of it.

With regard to war, the purpose of propaganda is to make a particular

group of people forget that another group is human. 4 By focusing on a few,

simple target ideas that reinforce the notion that another group of people are

harmful and inhumane, propaganda is able to unite people in an unrealistic

mindset. Understandably, however, governments have a priority to nurture

the morale of its people and the armed forces that represent it by intimidating
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the enemy with the force of natural will. The question of whether or not we

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choose to accept this harsh reality remains ambiguous, as there will always

be two sides to the argument.

So as it stands, it is well known that ³In war, truth is a relative

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commodity and propaganda a staple of battle.´ It is clear that, despite the

negative connotation that propaganda entails, prestigious world leaders

admit to its necessity. ³In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always

be attended by a bodyguard of lies. (Winston Churchill) Though leaders will

often admit to their use of propaganda, the tendency is to denounce it as

such, reverting to euphemisms when discussing their own political agenda.

For example, the American government will admit to the use of propa ganda

only when it is referred to as ³public information´. When speaking of the

enemy, however, it is essential that their tactics be deemed war

propaganda. 7

Propaganda agents generally attempt to relay their message with as

few sources as possible, as to avoid confusion and contradiction. The

propagandist also tends to separate himself from the audience as he

assumes a position of superiority. 8 With this in mind, it is important to

distinguish between the three different types of propaganda; white, grey, and

black. White propaganda, associated with overt psychological operations, is

issued from a credible source. Propaganda of the grey sort does not

specifically name a reference. Black propaganda, the most evil kind,

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pretends to be from a source other than the true one, a tactic used for covert

psychological operations.

The main objective for propaganda is to unite behind the belief that

what is being done is in the best interest of everyone. To achieve this, the

enemy must be demonized by certain principl es, which at the same token,

are not used to judge the self. This, inevitably, leads to questions regarding

the double standard and hypocrisy of their methods. 9 ³The most effective

propaganda relies on framing rather than on falsehood. By bending the trut h

rather than breaking it, using emphasis and other auxiliary embellishments,

communicators can create a desired impression without resorting to explicit

advocacy and without departing too far from the appearance of objectivity.´

(Michael Parenti, politica l scientist).

There are essentially four levels or strategies of war propaganda. The

first is that of the ³Big Lie´, which was personalized by Hitler and Stalin. The

second level maintains that any sort of information is capable of being

presented, so long as it¶s feasible. The third strategy consists of telling the

truth, but in doing so, making sure to withhold the other side¶s point of view.

The last strategy insists on telling the whole truth, including all sides and

presenting both the good and the bad . In Western societies, the last three

levels are adopted, as people will generally not fall for the big lie. 10

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 In preparing for a war, there are a few steps that are usually always

taken to ensure its success. First, the media must report on the crisis

situation. This often involves message to the public that the negotiations

between ³us and them´ are irresolvable. Second, the media must find a target

symbol for people to direct their anger and hatred. It is difficult to sit back and

say that Germany as a whole is evil, but sitting back and pointing the blame

at Hitler makes the hatred more tangible. Demonization of the enemy¶s

leader is a key to evoking war spirit in people. Next, the demonization must

be gradually applied to the collective enemy and each individual there within.

This gradual manipulation of mindset will eventually lead to people being able

to justify killing a group of people who they ordinarily would not have had any

serious problems with. The last step for the media upon preparing a cou ntry

for war involves continual reporting of atrocities. Fabricating and or

embellishing stories will serve to stir up and strengthen emotional reactions,

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which will eventually lead to a sudden urge to go to war.

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CONCLUSION

From the discussion there are several differences between

psychological operations and propaganda. The differences are definitions

both of psychological operations and propaganda, the types, the category,

the source of ability and last but not least the purpose of implementation.

However, the objective of the propaganda and psychological

operations are the same for national interest. It¶s a same because the

propaganda is the sub of psychological operations. Then, the psychological

operations are one of the instruments of for foreig n policy to every state

nowadays.