psyop
Mind manipulation campaign
Psyop is short for psychological operation—a military or political effort to influence attitudes and behavior through propaganda, disinformation, or strategic messaging.
The term has spread from military contexts to describe any manipulation campaign: That viral story was a psyop to make us distrust the media.
Online, psyop is often used loosely or humorously for anything that seems designed to mess with people's heads: Daylight saving time is a psyop.
Biased information for influence
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- narrativeAccount of events
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
spin · conditioning · indoctrination · messaging · brainwashing · agenda · subliminal · radicalization
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
misdirection · subterfuge · false-flag · fabrication · fakery · distortion · manipulation · gaslighting
Disguised sponsored advocacy
- brigadingOrganized mass harassment
- deepfakeAI-manipulated video mimicry
- microtargetingTailored messaging to specific segments
- state-sponsoredBacked by national authorities
Transmitted media signal
- loudspeakerSound amplification device
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
- destabilizationCausing loss of stability
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
Attack disguised as another's
- honeypotDecoy system catching attackers
- provocationAct that triggers response
- entrapmentDefense against induced criminality
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- narrativeAccount of events
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
framing · spin · conditioning · indoctrination · messaging · brainwashing · agenda · subliminal · radicalization
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
trickery · misdirection · subterfuge · false-flag · fabrication · fakery · distortion · manipulation · gaslighting · astroturfing
astroturfing
Disguised sponsored advocacy
- brigadingOrganized mass harassment
- deepfakeAI-manipulated video mimicry
- microtargetingTailored messaging to specific segments
broadcast
Transmitted media signal
- loudspeakerSound amplification device
- demoralizationLoss of confidence and hope
- destabilizationCausing loss of stability
counterintelligence · clandestine · defection · sabotage · interrogation
false-flag
Attack disguised as another's
- honeypotDecoy system catching attackers
- provocationAct that triggers response
- entrapmentDefense against induced criminality
- Conspiraciesconspiracy, deep state, new world order, chemtrails, flat earth
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
psyopconventional warfare
Armed conflict using standard military forces
physical attack · bombardment · ground assault · shooting war · hot war
- psychological disorderCondition impairing mental function
- psychological pressureMental coercion tactics
- psychological blockSubconscious obstacle to action
- psychological terrorFear through atmosphere and suggestion
- psychological dependenceNon-physical addiction to something
- psychological thrillersSuspense focused on psyche