Psychological operations are planned propaganda operations to convey
selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence
their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the
behaviour of foreign governments, organisations, groups, and
individuals.

The purpose of United States psychological
operations (PSYOP) is to induce or reinforce behaviour favourable to US
objectives. They are an important part of the range of diplomatic,
informational, military, and economic activities available to the US.
They can be utilised during both peacetime and conflict.


There are three main types: strategic, operational, and tactical. Strategic PSYOP
include informational activities conducted by the US government agencies
outside of the military arena, though many utilise Department of
Defense (DOD) assets. Operational PSYOP are conducted across the range
of military operations, including during peacetime, in a defined
operational area to promote the effectiveness of the joint force
commander's (JFC) campaigns and strategies. Tactical PSYOP are conducted
in the area assigned to a tactical commander across the range of
military operations to support the tactical mission against opposing
forces.

PSYOP can encourage popular discontent with the
opposition's leadership and by combining persuasion with a credible
threat, degrade an adversary's ability to conduct or sustain military
operations. They can also disrupt, confuse, and protract the adversary's
decision-making process, undermining command and control. When properly
employed, PSYOP have the potential to save the lives of friendly or
enemy forces by reducing the adversary's will to fight. By lowering the
adversary's morale and then its efficiency, PSYOP can also discourage
aggressive actions by creating disaffection within their ranks,
ultimately leading to surrender.