The United States Army Presents: Introduction to Psychological Warfare 1955

Psychological operations [PSYOP] are planned propaganda operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior 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.