Psychological warfare (
PSYWAR), or the basic aspects of modern
psychological operations (
PSYOP), have been known by many other names or terms, including
MISO, Psy Ops, Political Warfare, "Hearts and Minds," and
propaganda. The term is used "to denote any action which is practiced mainly by psychological methods with the aim of evoking a planned psychological reaction in other people." Various techniques are used, and are aimed at influencing a target audience's
value system,
belief system,
emotions,
motives,
reasoning, or
behavior. It is used to induce confessions or reinforce attitudes and behaviors favorable to the originator's objectives, and are sometimes combined with
black operations or
false flag tactics. It is also used to destroy the morale of enemies through tactics that aim to depress troops psychological states. Target audiences can be
governments,
organizations,
groups, and
individuals, and is not just limited to soldiers. Civilians of foreign territories can also be targeted by technology and media so as to cause an effect in the government of their country.