Download propaganda and logical fallacies

PROPAGANDA AND LOGICAL FALLACIES
PROPAGANDA
What we think…
 We often think of propaganda as something negative, as in a con or a lie.
 But propaganda really doesn't have anything to do with negative or positive. It's a technique
of persuasion.
What propaganda is…
 Refers to any technique that attempts to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes or
behavior of a group in order to benefit the sponsor.
COMMON PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES
Name Calling
 Selected words are used to make a product, a person, or a group of people sound bad.
 Example: Calling cigarettes “cancer sticks”.
Glittering Generalities
 Adjectives are used in the outstanding form to place the product in the glittering spotlight.
 Example: Toyota commercial that shows how pathetic a sedan looks next to an SUV.
Transfer
 Glory or guilt by association; We transfer the feelings we have of a person/idea we either love
or hate and respect or disrespect to the group or idea wanting acceptance
 Example: Looking very sophisticated and pretty, Adele is smoking a Camel No. 9 cigarette on
her album cover. Or, if Amy Winehouse is pictured smoking, some people might contribute it
to her poor health.
Bandwagoning
 Everybody else is buying this product. Jump on the bandwagon.
 Example: Miss Me jeans are popular amongst teenage girls. Or, think of the TOMS trend.
Card Stacking
 It is a selective omission that is usually used for things the promoter KNOWS are harmful
where they only present one side of the information and omitting the contrary.
 Example: Saying “Representative Smith introduced more new bills than any other member of
the Congress," and neglect to mention that most of them were so preposterous that they were
laughed off the floor. However, this is NOT like drug commercials because they have to list
all bad symptoms quickly at the end.
Plain Folks
 An appeal to the common person by appearing to be “just like them” or having the same
values like family, patriotism, etc.
 Examples: a prominent politician eats at McDonald’s; an actress is photographed shopping
for groceries; think of “Celebrities: they’re just like us!” in US Weekly
Lesser of Two Evils
 A technique that tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least
offensive option.
 This technique is often implemented during wartime to convince people of the need for
sacrifices or to justify difficult decisions. This technique is often accompanied by adding
blame on an enemy country or political group. One idea or proposal is often depicted as one
of the only options or paths.
Pinpointing the Enemy:
 This is an attempt to simplify a complex situation by presenting one specific group or person
as the enemy. Although there may be other factors involved the subject is urged to simply
view the situation in terms of clear-cut right and wrong.
 Pinpointing the enemy is used extremely often during wartime, and also in political
campaigns and debates.
Not on your test, but good to know:
LOGICAL FALLACIES
 A fallacy is, very generally, an error in reasoning. This differs from a factual error, which is
simply being wrong about the facts.
 To be more specific, a fallacy is an "argument" in which the premises given for the conclusion
do not provide the needed degree of support.
COMMON LOGICAL FALLACIES
Ad hominem
 A fallacy that involves replying to an argument or assertion by attempting to discredit the
person offering the argument or assertion
 Example: Someone rejects President Clinton's reasons for lifting the ban on gays in the
military because of Mr. Clinton's draft record.
Red Herring
 Presenting data or issues that, while compelling, are irrelevant to the argument at hand, and
then claiming that it validates the argument.
 Example: Jefferson argued that slavery should be abolished. The fact that Jefferson owned
slaves clearly shows that slavery was not a wrong practice.
Non Sequitur
 Presenting as evidence ideas that have no logical connection to each other
 Example: Hilary Clinton is a woman, so our immigration policy is in real trouble.
Begging the question/circular reasoning
 Instead of offering evidence, people simply restate their initial statement in different words
 Example: You should learn how to interview because learning how to interview is something
young people should do.
Slippery Slope
 Claims that a sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place,
but there's really not enough evidence for that assumption.
 Example: If we ban Hummers because they are bad for the environment eventually the
government will ban all cars, so we should not ban Hummers.