Methods of Psychological Influence on Military Personnel and Civilians in Latvia. Dr.psych., OF-3 Andzela Rozcenkova

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1 Methods of Psychological Influence on Military Personnel and in Latvia Dr.psych., OF-3 Andzela Rozcenkova

2 Why should we study the psychological impact on society? After Russia s military intervention in Ukraine, the Baltic states have engaged in psychological warfare Political power does not have the intentions and ability to solve the issues of non-military influence on society Various psychological methods are used to influence public opinion

3 Modern warfare Since the end of the last century there have been major changes in warfare (techniques, strategy, tactics) Violent war is the concept of aggressive State policies with violent force or without it, to make your opponent accept alien intentions

4 National independence is not only the task of the armed forces, but the nation's expression of free will

5 WAR IN UKRAINE Nation could not resist the influence of Russia s power Militārā psiholoģija

6 LESSONS LEARN FROM UKRAINE WAR Russia s strategic and consolidation psychological operations in Ukraine s military conflict Contradictory information in mass media around the world Military conflict near the Baltic countries has influenced public sense of security IAMPS 2016

7 The aim of the study To analyze the methods of Russia s psychological influence on military personnel and civilians in Latvia To identify the differences of conventional understanding among young people (military and civilians) concerning psychological operations in Latvia

8 Theoretical framework Social influence person's emotions, value system, opinions and behavior are affected by others Psychological operations (PSYOPS) planned operations to convey selected information and indicators in order to influence emotions, motives, and objective reasoning of the target audience, and, ultimately, the behavior of governments, organizations, Social groups and individuals

9 Methods of psychological influence on society Propaganda the question of true or false information Making fake legends and ideology the interpretation of facts in a different reality The interpretation of historical facts Irrational fear and anxiety National and racial conflict Image and symbol creation in society

10 PROPOGANDA

11 FAKE LEGENDS Russian community is advocacy around the world Crimea as a part of Russia is Russian sailors ' city Citizens of Latvia are fascists and hate Russians The interests of Russian ethnicity are limited in Latvia NATO activities is threat for Russian citizens' security

12 The fear around the world

13 Interpretation of history in Latvia Militārā psiholoģija

14 Incident of national conflict IAPMS 2018

15 Common symbols used...

16 Mythological images are used IAMPS 2016

18 How Putin s Russia could overrun the Baltic states in THREE DAYS

19 The demonstration of Russia s military force IAMPS 2016

20 Research questions Q1: What are the differences of conventional understanding among military personnel and civilians about loyalty, political activity, integration, history and social situation in Latvia? Q2: What are the public opinion about defence and security system in Latvia? Q3: What is the psychological influence of mass media on society in Latvia? Q4: How does society evaluate the impact of the Russian s psychological operations in Latvia?

21 Research methods Pilot study questionnaire (63 items) is measured: Military personnel and civilians opinion about loyalty, political activity, security, integration, understanding history, social situation, mass media, psychological influence on society in Latvia Each factor consists of positive and negative questions

22 Research sample (N = 123) Military personnel 49,6%, civilians 50,4% Female, male Latvians 96,7%, another ethnicity 3,3% : business 85,5%, officials 12,9%, unemployed 1,6% Military personnel: OF 8,2% NCO 36,1% OR 55,7%

23 Reseach results Q1: Loyalty Importance of Latvia s future as a free country 98,4% The government is able to satisfy the common needs of population 85,5% 59, Military personnel 38,7% 46,8% Military personnel 29,5% 9,7% 4,8% 1,6% 0, 14,5% 11,5%

24 Q1: Citizens' political activity Social interests in the policy processes in LV country Are you ready to protest against the goverment? 91,8% 72,6% 54,8% 52,5% Military personnel Military personnel 21,3% 19,4% 26,2% 25,8% 17,7% 4,9% 9,7% 3,3% YES Hard to say No

25 Q1: Integration of society Does mass media create an aggressive tension between living nations in Latvia? Does politicians contribute to integration problems? 65,6% 66,2% 61,3% 59, 31,1% 29, Military personnel 39,4% 37,1% Military personnel 3,3% 4,8% 1,6% 1,6%

26 Q1: Integration of society Latvia has a big number of population which is not loyal to country The threat of separatism in Latgale - LV region close to Russia s border 60,7% 56,5% 38,7% 34,4% Military personnel 57,4% 50, 26,2% 32,3% Military personnel 16,4% 17,7% 4,9% 4,8%

27 Q1: Interpretation of history The society's understanding of the history of Latvia The interpretation of historical facts in Latvia is very actual 67,7% 61,3% 42,6% 49,2% Military personnel 50,8% 44,3% Military personnel 25,8% 32,3% 8,2% 6,5% 4,9% 6,4%

28 Q1: Overall social situation in Latvia The differences of income among citizens Latvian residents are pessimistic towards to ongoing processes in the country 70,5% 66,1% 26,2% 32,3% Miitary personnel 54,1% 50, 29,5% 29, 21, 16,4% Military personnel 3,3% 1,6%

29 Q2: What are the public opinion about Latvia s defence and security system? Does NATO activities strengthen security of Latvian citizens? 33,9% 82, 62,9% Military personnel Do you support the activities and development of the National Armed Forces? 96,7% 80,6% Military personnel 16,4% 19,4% 1,6% 3,2% 3,3% 0, 0,

30 Q3: What is the psychological influence of mass media on society in Latvia? Mass media in Latvia is full of negative and fake news Latvian government should take measures to reduce negative psychological influence on society in mass media from agressive country 67,7% 83,6% 57,4% 67,7% Military personnel 39,3% 27,5% 29, Military personnel 14,8% 3,3% 4,8% 1,6% 3,3%

31 Q4: How does society evaluate the impact of Russian s psychological operations in Latvia? Latvian society are being manipulated to create specific treatment from Russia side 61,3% 55,7% 41, 35,5% Military personel False historical facts in order to manipulate with society 59, 66,1% 39,4% 27,4% Military personnel 3,3% 3,2% 6,5% 1,6%

32 Q4: How society evaluate the impact of the Russian s psychological operations in Latvia? Does Latvia resist to psychological influence from aggressive Russia's mass media side? 62,3% 53,2% 34,4% 40,3% Military personnel 3,3% 6,5%

33 Conclusions Psychological war is always invisible In modern warfare planned strategic psychological campaigns from aggressive country will be used against society before military conflict escalation To understand Russia s political intensions about Baltic states is very important according security in EU

34 Conclusions It is very important to study social background and psychological influence on society before military conflicts The security of independent country is not just the protection of Armed forces, but the nation s will to keep freedom Research data could be selected from different NATO countries

35 Thank you for attention! Questions?

Security Implications of Russian Strategic Communication and Information Warfare in the Eastern Partnership Countries

Security Implications of Russian Strategic Communication and Information Warfare in the Eastern Partnership Countries Vineta Mēkone Operational Support Branch NATO Strategic Communication Centre of Excellence