Problem
Promotion of negative images of opponents
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Demonizing the enemyNegative socialization towards opponents
Fixation on adversaries
Nature:
The socio-psychological contexts and mind-sets of competing social groups and nations generate negative images and language which effectively prevent progress toward social, political, economic or military cooperation. Western societies are accused of being imperialistic or colonial capitalist war-mongers. Socialist countries are called demonic or atheistic. Evangelists accuse companies of having logos which represent the devil. Such language and images are designed to create stereotypes and discourage understanding. Negotiations with an adversary who is totally evil is impossible.
Broader Problems:
PropagandaPsychological warfareCompulsory indoctrinationElimination of opposition groups or individuals Narrower Problems:
DetractionAntisemitismSmear campaignsReligious vilificationPolitical smear campaignsDeliberate political leaksUnjustly persecuted scientistsDenigrating comparative advertisingFabrication of politically sensitive incidents Related Problems:
DeceptionProduct disparagementMisleading advertisingBiased presentation of newsNegative identifying slogans Strategies:
Changing prevailing negative attitudesDemonizing the enemyFocusing on adversariesPromoting negative images of opponents References:
Keen, Sam: Faces of the Enemy: reflections of the hostile imaginationWistrich, Robert S: Demonizing the other: Antisemitism, racism and xenophobia Subject(s):
Communication → PromotionDefence → Conflict
Psychology → Imagery
Psychology → Psychology
Society → Society
Theology → Religious observance
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
15.10.2020 – 18:08 CEST