How Does Propaganda Work? To protect your mind from propaganda - learn how it works. Propaganda works best with repeated and combined appeals to: Tribalism, Emotionalism and Narcissism. 1. Humans are group animals. We share the instinct to form tribes with a hierarchy and leader. 2. Perceptions always travel through our emotional brain before they reach our rational brain. 3. The mind has a narcissistic tendency to see things as good or bad, and little in-between. Edward L. Bernays, is thought to be the founder of modern propaganda techniques. He is Sigmund Freud's disciple and nephew. In his 1928 book, Propaganda, Bernays says, "We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely from men we have never heard of."
In Crystallizing Public Opinion, Bernays says, governments and advertisers can, "Regiment the mind like the military regiments the body." Mental habits create stereotypes just like physical habits create reflex actions. When we think in absolutes we censor our experience and reason. Edward feels, "Physical loneliness is a real terror to the gregarious animal, and that association with the herd causes a feeling of security. In man this fear of loneliness creates a desire for identification with the herd in matters of opinion." This is tribalism. Bernays claims, "The group mind does not think... In making up its mind, its first impulse is usually to follow the example of a trusted leader. This is one of the most firmly established principles in mass psychology." This is emotionalism. Edwards says, "People have to take sides. People like to feel they belong to something larger than themselves. This appeals to our narcissism, as when one claims to belong to "The greatest nation on earth." This is narcissism. According to the Nazi Propagandist Hermann Goring, "The common people don't want war... That is understood... It is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along"... It does not matter if they have a democracy, a fascist or communist dictatorship, or a parliament.
"All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.
Tell the herd they have God on their side. Paint enemies as insane and evil. Appeal to the tendency to see everything as either good (us) or evil (them). Evoke paranoia and hysteria in them by convincing them the insane evil ones want to conquer and destroy them. What will happen? You can get them to march off to war by the millions. The truth doesn't matter, the manipulation of perception does.
To Summarize: Mass Man - the herd, cannot think, it is ruled by its feelings. If the herd feels it is under attack it will look to a leader to save it. The herd will draw together to expel those who see truth and protest. It will then march off to war. Perception is everything, the truth doesn't matter. Copyright 2015 - All Rights Reserved - Effective Advertising Corporation
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Perception is everything - in politics, relationships and business. If you offer the absolute best product or service, and you'd like to get even better results (guaranteed) with my assistance - Send me a note. Your Friend - Cory Molloy Cory Molloy is the Creative Director at Effective Advertising. He is an industry leader at combining the memorable language patterns of NLP; with the most positive, present and personal words in advertising. He writes fresh, focused and custom pitches designed to get results in the top 1% of what's possible. If you'd like to read more stimulating articles, and attend his group or corporate training: Add Cory Molloy on Facebook:
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