Propaganda

Propaganda is used more often than we think, it is used by many large companies as well as personalities and politicians. It can be used by any individual or organisation looking to influence human behavior.

We face propaganda multiple times a day, by manipulating the symbols of our most basic human emotions.

With the growth of communication systems and social media, propaganda has increased with them.
-The increase in propaganda and the number of messages one processes every day has lead to people trying to processes this information faster and therefore this can lead to individuals making social short-cuts. This can come as a major advantage to propagandists because many of these shortcuts blur rational thought.
-They encourage short-cuts by agitating emotion, exploiting insecurities by capitalizing on the ambiguity of language, and by bending the rules of logic. As shown through history these can be quite effective.

Propaganda analysis looks at the techniques used by propagandists and how we can resist the short-cuts they promote.

The name calling technique links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. The propagandist hopes that the audience will reject this person or idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking for evidence.

There are more and less subtle ways of name calling. The more subtle ways of name calling posses a negative emotional charge. Eh stingy or thrifty.

When propagandists use glittering generalities and name calling symbols, they attempt to arouse their audience with vivid, emotionally suggestive words. Propagandists attempt to pacify the audience in order to make an unpleasant reality more palatable. Propaganda can be found in all sides of the political spectrum.

Propagandists often try to transfer religious prestige or the reputation of science or medicine to a particular project or set of beliefs.

Transfer- When a political activist closes her speech with a public prayer, she is attempting to transfer religious prestige to the ideas that she is advocating. In a similar fashion, propagandists may attempt to transfer the reputation of "Science" or "Medicine" to a particular project or set of beliefs.

Testimonial- citing a qualified source. The most common misuse of the testimonial involves citing individuals who are not qualified to make judgements about a particular issue. In 1992, Barbara Streisand supported Bill Clinton, and Arnold Schwarzenegger threw his weight behind George Bush. Both are popular performers, but there is no reason to think that they know what is best for this country. 

Plain Folks- 

By using the plain-folks technique, speakers attempt to convince their audience that they, and their ideas, are "of the people." The device is used by advertisers and politicans alike.