"Age of Propaganda"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson's book, "Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion", provides a detailed overview of how persuasive techniques are used by the mass media to manipulate and mislead. It looks at how the authors note that propaganda is used extensively to manipulate our emotions, rather than using logical arguments, thus potentially leading to bad decisions and a decline in public discourse. It also explores how the authors provide a number of strategies for dealing with persuasion, especially for consumers.

From the Paper:

"Pratkanis and Aronson note that the meaning of propaganda has gradually shifted over time. At one time, propaganda referred almost solely to disseminating ideas based upon lies. In this definition, propaganda could refer to Nazi Germany's assertions that the Holocaust was not occurring, and that the Jewish people were inferior. However, the meaning of propaganda has gradually moved away from such a firm association with lies. Today, propaganda refers more to influence or suggestion that manipulation the individual. As such, the ultimate goal of propaganda, as it is defined today, is for the recipient to accept the position argued for as their own."

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