Library:Age of Propaganda
| Age of Propaganda | |
|---|---|
| Author | Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson |
| First published | 1992 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7167-2210-6 unverified |
| Role | Analysis |
| Domains | Culture, Religion & Society Technology & Media Business, Finance & Scams |
| Tactics | Propaganda Technique Manipulation |
Age of Propaganda is a 1992 book by Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson.
Summary
Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson, social psychologists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, wrote this accessible guide to persuasion research. It was first published in 1992 and revised in 2001.
How persuasion works
The authors explain why people often process messages quickly and superficially, relying on cues such as the attractiveness of a speaker, the number of arguments or social proof, rather than carefully weighing evidence. Propagandists exploit this "peripheral route" to persuasion.
Four stratagems
They organize the techniques around four stratagems: pre-persuasion (framing the issue before the argument begins), source credibility, the message itself and emotional appeals such as fear, guilt and flattery. Examples range from advertising and election campaigns to cults and wartime propaganda.
Defenses
The book closes with practical advice on recognizing and resisting manipulation.
Relevance to Bullshitopedia
A clear, research-based explanation of why propaganda works on ordinary people, complementing the lessons-for-readers sections of Bullshitopedia entries.
Related entries
- Library:Calling Bullshit
- Library:Foolproof
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