RESEARCH FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 21, Heft 1, S. 147-158

Abstract

Res on psychol'al warfare has suffered from an excessive concentration on the two extremes: nose-counting problems such as how many enemy soldiers carried propaganda leaflets when they surrendered, & global questions of strategy for which adequate data were lacking. A realistic res program on an intermediate level would be more useful. Among the problems which should be studied are the singling out of groups under 'cross-pressures' & other particularly vulnerable targets for propaganda, adaptation of the message to the particular group which it is sought to influence, & above all adaptation of the message to the tradition & mentality of the enemy pop, which may be completely diff from that of those who are conducting the propaganda. Res is also needed on the readiness of individuals under strain to accept communications which represent both the expressed & the repressed sides of their ambivalence, & on the influence of the individual's participation in various groups on his reactions. IPSA.