https://www.psywar.org/psywar/reproduct ... t_2008.pdf
Psychological Operations
- A WEAPON OF MASS COMMUNICATION
- A WEAPON OF PRECISION COMMUNICATION
- A LINE OF ACTION TO MANOEUVRE EFFECT
The purpose of PSYOPS is to influence the perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of individuals or groups of people (the Target Audience) causing them to act in a manner that supports the achievement of the Commander’s end-state. This may take weeks, months or even years to implement and achieve. The crucial difference between PSYOPS and most other military activities is that the resultant behaviour of the Target Audience is ultimately consensual. Thus, PSYOPS has the potential to produce enduring results, particularly in the area of conflict prevention and resolution. Whilst coercion is definitely a psychological activity that may lead to short -term effect, once the coercion is removed protagonists might revert to their previous behaviour pattern. By contrast, successful PSYOPS is more subtle and leads to a change in perception, attitude or behaviour. When employed wisely, PSYOPS can lower enemy morale by creating doubts, dissidence and disaffection within its ranks or can provide the means to understand, communicate with and influence the Target Audience. Specifically targeted, PSYOPS can weaken the will of the enemy, reinforce the support of the loyal and gain the support of the uncommitted.
The UK defines PSYOPS as:
‘..planned, culturally sensitive, truthful and attributable activities directed at approved target audiences within the Joint Area of Operations in order to achieve political and military objectives’.
NATO defines PSYOPS slightly differently, which reflects the differing needs of contributing Nations:
‘Planned psychological activities using methods of communications and other means directed to approved audiences in order top influence perceptions, attitudes and behaviour, affecting the achievement of political and military objectives’.
CONCEPT
PSYOPS, in seeking to influence the perceptions of the hostile, is clearly an integral part of shattering the enemy’s overall cohesion and will to fight. However, its use as an influence weapon in manoeuvre war- fare is known, but not well understood. Used imaginatively, and carefully coordinated and synchronised with other political and military activities, PSYOPS seeks to gain advantage over the enemy in the moral and intellectual, rather than (but not exclusively) the physical arena. PSYOPS can also contribute to the protection of friendly cohesion and fighting spirit by maintaining the support of the sympathetic and gain- ing the support of the uncommitted. In shaping the battle-space, PSYOPS may be the Commander’s main means of shaping the moral and intellectual environment and may also be able to assist in shaping the physical battle-space.
PSYOPS generally delivers its ‘munitions’ in the form of information and ideas, aimed at attacking loyal- ties, hatreds, fears and misconceptions. PSYOPS aims to break down cohesion by undermining the moral and intellectual links between hostile leaders and their followers, leaving them unwilling to respond or fight effectively. Creating the perception in the adversary’s mind that the achievement of his end state is impossible, and attempts to do so will be costly, is fundamentally a psychological activity aimed at creating the perception of his own defeat; In this way PSYOPS, allied to credible force, may even render conflict unnecessary. Dissemination of PSYOPS messages through the written or spoken word, symbology and other visual imagery can all be used singly or in combination, in leaflets, printed articles, radio and TV broadcasts, face to face engagement, the Internet, text messaging and loudspeakers. To be effective, PSYOPS output must be truthful, attributable and credible, empathising with cultural, historic and social considerations, and be sympathetic to Target Audience perceptions to reinforce concerns, fears, prejudices or aspirations. In isolation, PSYOPS is unlikely to achieve real results and must be supported by, and integrated with, the overall Campaign Plan from the outset.