Techniques of Persuasion: From Propaganda to Brainwashing

by J.A.C. Brown, Germano Facetti (Illustrator)

El crecimiento de la influencia de los medios de comunicación de masas y la utilización de los psicólogos profesionales para mejorar la eficacia de sus mensajes despiertan el temor a que la minoría que controla la propaganda política y la publicidad comercial en las sociedades avanzadas de Occidente coarte la libertad de información y elección de los ciudadanos. De otro lado, los regímenes totalitarios, al sustituir el pluralismo ideológico por el monopolio de la doctrina estatal, llevan hasta sus últimas consecuencias la manipulación impersonal de las masas. J. A. C. BROWN estudia en esta obra las principales TÉCNICAS DE PERSUASIÓN que van DE LA PROPAGANDA AL LAVADO DE CEREBRO. Los capítulos dedicados a la formación y al cambio de las actitudes, la guerra psicológica, la publicidad comercial, el tratamiento científico de la mente y la naturaleza de las conversiones religiosas aportan esclarecedores enfoques sobre la cuestión. La conclusión del libro es que, pese a todo, la personalidad humana resiste a las tentativas de adoctrinamiento más de lo que algunos críticos radicales sospechan.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Sociology, Politics, History

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
A college era book originally read early to mid 70's, in there somewhere,
Dug it up again during my onoing book purge. Written in 1963, thereabouts, many of its conclusions hold up today. It's composed in a classic British scholarly fashion, erudite, precise, fully footnoted. I didn't find it dry at all, although I recognize others might.
It covers the psychology and some history of propaganda, brainwashing, advertising and other dark arts. I didn't reread the whole thing, just the section on the supposed evil influence on children of violence in the media, for which Brown found no evidence of general or frequent occurrence.
Indeed, the main conclusion I took away from this book, is It's very hard to make somebody do something, unless they are already so inclined.
In this much more cynical age, I think that's truer than previously. -30-

[Mike Mcdermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written back in 1963, many issues raised in this book are still relevant today. Particularly in the age of Trump. Also, I always enjoy reading about the history of communism. Perfect mix of geopolitics and psychology. Great read.

[Pedro Colaneri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really insightful look at several psychological topics related to opinion building and things of the sort. Really heavy reading, nonetheless.

[Fatih Kutan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telkin, ikna olmaya açık olmak, harfler ve propaganda. Batı sathında kökenleri derinlere uzanan bir dönüştürme aracı olan propaganda, son yüzyılda daha karmaşık ve daha "ölümcül" olarak karşımızda. Hegamonyasını veya diktatöryasını kurmuş odaklarca, kendileri dışında kalan herkesi hedef alan, manipüle etmeye, olağan olanın dışında yeni bir olağan yaratmaya odaklanmış bir yöntem: Propaganda.

[jaseanton_com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brown presents the ages old arts of persuasion in a very accessible and informative way. An important read which I personally found helpful in terms of navigating not only the media, but the people who feature in and produce it.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a sort of brief history of advertising in the process clarifying points of distinction between propoganda and influencing while also spanning ethical concerns