Propaganda, Newspeak, Doublethink, Logical Fallacies, Advertising Strategies

Propaganda, Newspeak, Doublethink, Logical Fallacies, Advertising strategies . .

Here are a couple of definitions:

“Information and opinions spread to influence people in favor of or against some doctrine or idea.” Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, 1989 ed.

"Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels." Richard Alan Nelson, A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States (1996) pp. 232-233

So with those definitions in mind, which one of these posters do you think could be considered propaganda?

Answer: Both We tend to think of propaganda as Hitler’s anti-Semitic leaflets, or early “red scare” ads put out in the 50s, or something we read about in dystopian novels such as 1984, where evil governments are trying to control our minds.

(Cloak of bomber says “European Anarchists”)

But, the truth is, propaganda isn’t always nefarious or evil --but it is pervasive.

We encounter it in ads, newspapers, music, T.V. programming, political debates--it’s all over our society.

Let’s examine some common types of propaganda.

 Ad homonym – Latin phrase meaning that you attack the person rather than the idea. Examples: “His ideas can’t have any merit, he’s a socialist.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEah7_lzsOU&mode=related&search

• Appeals to fear or prejudice – attempt to convince that the alternative is dire or dangerous. Examples: Politician claiming that a certain course of action will lead the nation to ruin, or an insurance company claiming that you will be financially devastated without their insurance coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nWPUv-3gIg

• Appeal to nationalism or patriotism – attaching an idea or argument to loyalty to, or love, of country Examples: “Support of NAFTA is un-American.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGH5jXFenFM

• Bandwagon – promoting the notion that “everyone” agrees Examples: “Scientists agree that the production of nuclear energy is worth the risks.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Hu6up9Xng

• Card stacking – only showing what is in your favor and omitting or covering up the negatives. Examples: An advertiser making a product sound healthy by saying that it is “low fat and high fiber,” when it is also loaded with sugar and is high in calories. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiWTcVHdSFo

• Demonization – Casting opponents as evil, nefarious, or reprehensible. Examples: “His liberal ideas are no more than thinly-veiled communism. You might as well be voting for Stalin.”

• Glittering Generalities – applying emotionally appealing terms to a product or an idea. Examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s__nHCNT8y8

• Non Sequitur - drawing an unreasonable conclusion or using a comparison to sway opinion that can’t logically be made. Examples: Failure to deal with global warming will lead us to world war. http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/non-sequitur-examples.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE

• Oversimplification and Quotes out of context – using generalities to describe what is complex and multi- faceted. Examples: “The Affordable Healthcare act will cost Americans millions.”

• Plain Folks – proposition that the idea is appealing to the common person. Examples: A politician spending time in town meetings to convince voters he/she is “one of them.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMJ90T2rwXU

• Red Herring - countering a claim with information or argument that is compelling, but irrelevant to the issue. Examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6VmYOFGpbM

• Scapegoat – Blaming problems on one individual or a group Example: “It is the financial upheaval in Greece that is toppling the European Union.”

• Slippery Slope – proposing that accepting the position means that you must also accept the extreme of the position. Examples: “If you pass laws to restrict assault weapons, it will soon lead to the government mass confiscation of all guns in this country.”

• Stereotyping – attempt to identify an entire group with certain characteristics or using one term to apply to a number of often loosely-related things Examples: The Nazis, in the 1930s, blaming the Jews for Germany’s problems, or political pundits claiming that all “liberals” or “conservatives” follow a specific belief.

• Testimonials – Giving something credibility by associating it with well-respected people. Examples: “Four out of five dentists choose . . .” Examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYywiQ3-6To

• Transfer - relating something to a positive or negative symbol, such as the flag. Examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-Qiyklq-Q

• Want more detailed explanations of some of these? Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques

Can you see elements of propaganda in this ad?

Plain Folks – He’s one of the “fighting men.” Testimonial – As a doctor, he carries an air of authority Transfer – associating the product with image of U.S. soldiers. Bandwagon – You can be just like one of these great men, if you choose this product too.

Try these two—what types of propaganda do you see here?

J.M. Flagg, (1917)

Artist unknown (1972)