Propaganda and Bias Whats the Difference Bias Definition

Propaganda and Bias What’s the Difference?

Bias • Definition- a strong feeling for or against something without enough reason; prejudice Example: Making fun of someone because of their race, religion, how they look, etc. . simply because that is your opinion, is biased.

Propaganda • Definition- information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause It is information that serves a particular agenda, which could be true or false. If true, it may be one-sided and fail to paint a complete picture. It is mostly found in advertising and politics.

Example: During the campaign between Pres. Bush and John Kerry, President Bush came to Johnstown to campaign. He came dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt and was talking about how he loved to hunt and fish. He was appealing to the major population of our area by making it seem like he is one of the good old guys.

Fact and Opinion • to detect whethere is a bias, one needs to know the difference between fact and opinion • Just because something is written in print, does not make it a fact. • You need to be the judge and evaluate whether what magazines, newspapers, and news programs are telling you is fact or opinion. • Fact- a statement that can be proven true • • Example: The Romans made the first popsicle. The Chinese made the first wheelbarrow The Blue Whale's whistle is the loudest noise made by an animal. • fishes communicate with each other by making noises in their throats by rasping their teeth, others use their swim bladders to make sounds

Opinion • Opinion- a statement of what someone thinks Example: • Scott Brown will be an asset to the United States senate. • Given the data of inflation, I believe that the minimum wage should be increased. • Computers are an essential part of the success of most businesses.

Types of Propaganda • The word propaganda refers to any technique that tries to impact or influence the opinions, behaviors, attitudes, or emotions in order to benefit the author of the propaganda.

Hidden Messages • There are secret messages in propaganda and they are not always easy to find. These messages can be in sound, pictures, color, or design. • The purpose of propaganda is to persuade! • Propaganda does not always have to be negative or positive. Remember its purpose is to persuade.

Types of Propaganda • Bandwagon • Card Stacking • Glittering Generalities (Loaded Words and Phrases) • Lesser of Two Evils • Name Calling • Testimonials • Plain Folks • Transfer (Transference)

Bandwagon • It is one of the most common techniques in time of war and peace and also plays an important part in advertising. • Follow the crowd, join in, because everyone else is. • The idea is that since so many people have joined in, it must be the winning side. The average person wants to be on the most popular side so they join in.

Bandwagon • "Over 1, 000 units have been sold already. " "America's most popular brand" "4 out of 5 people choose Nestles"

Bandwagon example • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=MAz. Zr 0 n T 0 S 0

Card stacking • Only presenting information that is positive to an idea and omitting the contrary • Much of the information in card stacking is true, but It omits very important information

• Drug manufacturers do this frequently in ads in which they skim over the possible harmful side effects of their products. Facts are Selected and presented which most effectively strengthen and authenticate the point of view of the propagandist.

Glittering Generalities • Buzz words that produce a pleasant, unthinking reaction in an audience. People are more willing to agree because the term being used has a positive connotation or meaning to them • For example: Love, honor, freedom, glory are terms that have a positive connotation especially in the United States.

Example of Glittering Generalities §Food products will quickly label their foods as low fat hinting that they are more healthy, when, in fact, the product might be high in calories. §Advertisers will sometimes give an incomplete comparison like “better tasting. ” Better tasting than what? §Cascade claims that their detergent will leave your dishes virtually spotless. In other words, there will be some spots.

Glittering Generalities – Virtue Words: • Virtually, More, New • Low Fat, Better, Pride • Honor, Peace, Happiness • Prosperity, Freedom • Free enterprise, • Family values • Peace People would react negatively to words like “inflation and communisim”

• For example: the concept of democracy has a positive connotation because it is associated to a concept that they value. Love, honor, freedom, glory are terms that have a positive connotation especially in the United States.

Lesser of Two Evils • Tries to convince people of an idea by presenting it as the better of two choices. • Often used during times of war to convince people to make sacrifices or justify difficult decisions

Name Calling • Often occurs in politics and times of war • The use of words with implied negative meaning, it often labels the target • something that the public dislikes • It often shows up in • political cartoons

Example of name calling

– The most obvious type of name calling involved “bad names. ” For example: • Pig • Hippie • Bum My opponent is a flip-flop man who cannot make up his mind. He changes mind with the breeze! How could anyone follow such a weak-willed flip-flopper?

– A more subtle form of name-calling involves words or phrases that are Selected because they possess a negative charge. For example • Radical • Stingy • Counter-culture

Testimonial • Quotations or endorsements, in or out of context, which attempt to connect a famous or respectable person with a product or item • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=rk. Xb. Rw. Rg i. Rw&feature=Play. List&p=0 D 5 FC 95302254024 &index=0

Plain Folks • Appealing to regular people’s values like family and patriotism • To convince the public that the views reflect those of the common person and that they are working for the good of the common person

Example-Plain Folks • America’s recent presidents have all been millionaires, but they have gone to great lengths to present themselves as ordinary citizens. • Bill Clinton eats at Mc. Donalds. • Ronald Reagan chopped wood. • Jimmy Carter was an humble peanut farmer. • President Bush loves hot dogs and baseball and is often portrayed at a pro-baseball game

Transfer or Transference • transferring positive qualities associated with a place or person for the writer’s or speaker’s own cause(Measuring Up to Pa Academic Standards) -Used in politics and times of war -Usually used to transfer blame or bad feelings from one politician to another of his friends, party members, or even the party itself

Transference • When you show yourself to be like a known and respected person, then you are encouraging the other person to categorize you in the same way, such that they will then attribute all of the characteristics of the other person onto you (including trust).

Examples- Words • As I was saying to the President, it is so important that we bring our forces together. He agreed, of course and we will be taking it forward next week. • Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce my good friend Brad Pitt. Brad and I go way back and he's kindly come here today to tell you what I'm really like.

Such statements as “we the republicans” and “we the democrats” are transference National flags and related symbols like eagles Images of political heroes or villains •

Symbols are constantly used in this form of propaganda. – Common Symbols • • The flag represents the nation. Uncle Sam represents a consensus of public opinion. A cross represents Christianity. The Star of David represents the Jewish faith.

Transfer devices can be used both for and against causes and ideas. – Examples: • On TV commercials, actors in white lab coats tell us that Brand X cold medicine is better that Brand Y. • During the 2000 campaign, Gov. George Bush used the American flag as part of his logo. • During the 2000 campaign, Vice President Al Gore used the colors, stars and stripes of the flag for his logo.

Stereotyping • Putting all members of a group together without characterizing them as individual people. • Example- All the girls in track and field are tough. • Example- Boys always fight. • Example- All dogs have fleas.