PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR

• Main Author: Zbigniew MODRZEJEWSKI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wydawnictwo Akademii Sztuki Wojennej 2016-09-01
• Series: Security and Defence Quarterly
• Subjects: psychological operations; media; audience; influence; dissemination
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/sdq/PSYCHOLOGICAL-OPERATIONS-AFTER-THE-SECOND-WORLD-WAR,103237,0,2.html

This paper has two purposes. From the personal side, the topic was chosen because I am interested in the history of psychological operations. To benefit the reader, I address psychological operations in selected military conflicts after the Second World War in order to consider this issue. The goal of this study is to depict examples of the psychological operations conducted after World War II as part of military operations and examine the increasing importance of these issues to all involved in the battle. The article describes methods and means of psychological activities carried out by both sides in conflicts against both soldiers and civilians. Most attention in the article is devoted to the potential of the United States, which is without doubt a leader in the development of psychological operations. US PSYOP equipment is the most sophisticated and covers a broad spectrum of diverse technological means of influence. It results especially from the permanent engagement of US troops in military activities in various parts of the world after the end of World War II. Psychological operations have been an essential element of warfare since ancient times. The purpose of psychological operations is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and behaviour favourable to the originator’s objectives. It has been used throughout history to influence foreign groups and leaders. Moreover, psychological operations targeted the enemy’s will to fight. In various conflicts after World War II, we can observe more and more attention being paid to psychological operations. Today we can observe arevolution in PSYOP capabilities. This is related to the development of modern technologies, especially the internet, which gives new opportunities for information transfer.