Self-propaganda

Self-propaganda is the way in which people convince themselves of something regardless of the evidence against it. They will go over their side of the argument without considering the alternative arguments.[1] Self-propaganda is a form of self-deception.

Introduction

Self-propaganda is a form of propaganda and indoctrination performed by an individual or a group on oneself. It functions at individual and social levels: political, economic, and religious. It hides behind partial truths and ignores questions of critical thought.

The psychological process of utilizing self-propaganda can negatively influence values and beliefs,[2] and subsequent perceptions and judgments, thus becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Self-propaganda can also be a form of self-deception. Those whose values match the self deceptions are even further impacted. Confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance can cause people to further perpetuate the propaganda, reaffirming or reinforcing their beliefs despite contradicting evidence.[3]

Historical Context

Propaganda is most successful when self- propaganda is also involved.[4] Self-propaganda makes it easier for individuals to justify their own actions as well as the actions of others.[5] This can be due in part to the fact that belief in actions can greatly reduce cognitive dissonance. Historically propaganda is widely associated with wartime measures and justifications. One of the most well-known examples of Propaganda's ability to allow individuals to convince themselves is During World-War 2. At this time Nazi Germany had large propaganda campaigns against the Jews.[6] While self propaganda does make such government efforts of propaganda more effective, self-propaganda can also refer to any lie that individuals tell themselves or becomes convinced of.

Examples

Social Media Filter Bubble or "Algorithmic Editing"

• These Methods work by joining a group that limits what information can be seen within a certain group. In 2016 Facebook came under criticism[7] for doing this, showing users posts that reflect with what they already believe and agree with. Speculation arose that Facebook was polarizing users for the 2016 United States presidential election, and was further developing their bias towards their preconceived beliefs.

Confirmation Bias

• Most importantly found through Self-verification and self-enhancement. People are less likely to remember information that conflicts their beliefs or appears negative to what they expect.[8]

Communal Reinforcement

• Repeated assertion within a group about a belief that the group takes for truth. Often this is done without fully researching the subject or gathering supporting evidence.[9] A beneficial use for this form could be self/group motivation. A group of Alcoholic's Anonymous reaffirming one another that they are strong and can conquer their addiction is a positive form of communal reinforcement.

Echo Chamber

• The members within a group who obtain information only from within their group. While a filter bubble is created by algorithms online, echo chambers are created by purposely choosing who you associate with and from whom you receive your information. American psychology professor Nicholas DiFonzo found that when Republicans and Democrats were separated and asked to discuss rumors about the other party, they would polarize. However, as the groups were mixed, polarization was significantly decreased.[10]

• Online forum Reddit has often been associated with echo chambers. A group known as "incels" has received much media attention. This group of "involuntarily celibate" individuals would post often about how they felt they were being wronged by society for what they viewed as bad genetics. Some were pushed into extremism thoughts, and a few committed mass murders.[11]

Application to Cognitive Psychology

Self-propaganda is closely related to Self-deception and Cognitive dissonance.

gollark: LyricLy™ doesn't have the compute to do that.
gollark: As shown by this diagram.
gollark: Actually, it's a LyricLy™ instance.
gollark: You want to retroactively do it? I mean, I guess so.
gollark: We should initiate society advancement laser strikes from orbit.

See also

References
  1. Radoslav, Loki, ed. (2012). Self-propaganda. [Place of publication not identified]: Pon Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-613-8-58689-0. OCLC 935758217.
  2. Paul M. Salkovskis (1997) Frontiers of cognitive therapy pp 101. Guilford Press ISBN 1-57230-113-9 Retrieved 2010 May 17
  3. [https://books.google.com/books?id=FNuxnFq76WMC&pg=PA335&lpg=PA335&dq=%22Self-propaganda%22+-wikipedia&source=bl&ots=RCLHsg0X45&sig=ACfU3U0tMVacHWP-HZyIFO4OHNtQb7lcQQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiU_eKVjaTlAhXP854KHUblCgwQ6AEwCXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Self-propaganda%22%20-wikipedia&f=falseGambrill,+Eileen+(2012).+Propaganda+in+the+Helping+Professions%5D.+Oxford+University+Press.+p. 335.
  4. Galeotti, Anna Elisabetta. "Liars or Self-Deceived? Reflections on Political Deception". Retrieved 2019-12-07.
  5. Ableser, Edward (2014). From Prophet to Pharisee: An Analysis of Arizona Christian Politicians, Political Theory, and Theology. Arizona: ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. p. 115.
  6. KOHL, DIANE. "The Presentation of "Self" and "Other" in Nazi Propaganda". citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. Retrieved 2019-12-07.
  7. Kartik Hosanagar (2016) "Blame the Echo Chamber on Facebook. But Blame Yourself, Too"
  8. Story, Amber L. (1998), "Self-Esteem and Memory for Favorable and Unfavorable Personality Feedback", Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24 (1): 51–64, doi:10.1177/0146167298241004, ISSN 1552-7433
  9. The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions, p. 80, at Google Books
  10. Nicholas DiFonzo (2011) "The Echo-Chamber Effect"
  11. Zack Beauchamp (2018) "Incel, the misogynist ideology that inspired the deadly Toronto attack, explained"
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