Influence Operations: Conceptual Dimension

The article focuses on the meaning and features of influence operations. It is shown that this term does not have precise and widely accepted definition. The researchers tend to consider influence operations as general term for any activities of international actors in information environment, or as a modern form of information operations that exceed military campaigns. The analysis of researchers’ publications made it possible to highlight some features of influence operations. The core of influence operations is perception management. The success of such operations depends largely on understanding vulnerabilities and adaptation to the specifics of target audiences. One of key features of influence operations is synchronization and coordination of activities in information and physical environment. The idea is that communication activities should be reinforced by appropriateactions that also aim to affect perceptions, opinions, and behavior of target audiences and not to obtain advantages in physical environment. Influence operations are also characterized by the use of various combinations of “soft” and “hard”, legitimate and partly legitimate influence techniques. The scenarios of influence operations are long lasting and may take different formsthat involve the participation of state and non-state agents of influence. Influence operations cover all aspects of information operations and strategic communication, but they are used in more complicated and subtle way. So, it makes sense to regard influence operations as long-term and advanced form of information operations. The emergence of this term may mark the necessity torevise and updateexisting terminology in the field of information warfare,taking into account moderntrends in the development of international relations.

Allusion, reasoning and luring in Chinese psychological warfare

China's global proliferation of psychological warfare, operating in small signatures and low visibility, reflects a cultural continuity of ancient strategic thought and martial philosophy. Contemporary analysis explains how China's attempts to coerce and persuade its target entities work through systematic deception and perception management to achieve its authoritarian objectives. However, there are gaps in the understanding of these operations as distinct from conventional statecraft, and in the configuration and mechanism of actions constituting bottom-up change toward subduing the enemy without fighting. To guide the analysis of China's psychological warfare in an organized manner, an explanatory framework of three cultural drivers—allusion (anshi), reasoning (douzhi) and luring (yinyou)—and six tactics—induction (youdao), coercion (xiepo), sentiment (qinggan), hoax (xirao), persuasion (ganhua) and disguise (qiaozhuang)—were devised. It is argued that the deeply rooted ideational and materially embodied dynamics continue to exploit western social vulnerabilities and the open nature of democratic institutions by introducing policy confusion, assimilation and division. However, failing to recognise these as normative social practices will result in misguided counter-measures aimed at transforming the communist system into a capitalist democracy, triggering domestic social unrest, or discrediting the CCP leadership in the eyes of the world and the Chinese people.

Perception management of non-sewered sanitation systems towards scheduled faecal sludge emptying behaviour change intervention

This paper explores the influence of perception on behaviours associated with emptying of faecal sludge from non-sewered sanitation systems using findings from a study on the emptying behaviour of residents of Khulna city, Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to highlight perception as a behaviour determinants as well as develop perception management strategies for the design, plan and implementation of effective behaviour change intervention programmes with a focus on ‘scheduled emptying’. The study uses a mixed-method cross-sectional approach to collect data through structured household questionnaire surveys, face-to-face key informant interviews, group interviews, and structured observations. The study revealed that the emptying behaviour of the community was reactive, untimely and unsafe and over half of the systems had never been emptied, which was traced to emptying perceptions that encouraged a laissez-faire attitude within households and the community. The study concluded by proposing a perception management model to achieve behaviour change towards scheduled emptying via perception change.

General Practitioner Residents and Patients End-of Life: Involvement and Consequences

The ageing of the population and the increased number of chronicle diseases are associated with an increased frequency of end of life care in hospital settings. Residents rotating in hospital wards play a major part in their care, regardless of their specialty. General practitioner (GP) residents are confronted to such activities in hospital settings during their training.Our aim was to know how they feel about this kind of work, very different from the one they are training to do.MethodWe surveyed all GP trainees of “Ile de France”. The survey was made of 41 questions regarding advanced directives divided in 7 sections about patients’ care, communication, mentoring and repercussion on personal life. The survey was done one time, during two pre-specified days. Results:525 residents (53.8%) accepted to fulfill the survey. 74.1% of the residents thought that palliative care could have been better. Possible ways of improvements were unreasonable obstinacy (59.6%), patient’s (210 answers, 40%) relative’s communication (199 answers 37.9%). Residents also reported a lack of knowledge regarding end-of-life care specific treatments (411 answers, 79.3%) and 298 (47.2%) wished for better mentoring. Those difficulties were associated with repercussion on their private life (353 answers, 67.2%), particularly with their close relatives (55.4%). Finally, 56.2% of trainees thought that a systematic psychological follow up should be instituted for those working in “at risk” hospital settings. Conclusion:Self-perception management of dying patients by MG resident emphasize their lack of training and supervision. The feeling of suboptimal care is associated with consequences on personal life.

UNDERSTANDIG THE MANIPULATED CONTEMPORARY BODY THROUGH BODY PRACTICES

In this research, the contemporary body, the current conditions of which are manipulated by the rulers, are discussed with applications related to body and performance ar. In the study the body, which is the main characteristic of social life, is examined through the association of concepts such as the consumption industry, technology, image, icon, perception management and surveillance society. As can be seen from sociological research, the contemporary body is experiencing a rapid cultural transformation process. This situation has reached the extent that the subject is manipulated by system networks which create temporary happiness. The transformation of consumption tools into status-defining components leads to an ambiguity of real needs. On the other hand, it is observed that the members of the contemporary society are turning into individuals who are unsatisfied with their appearance and act with the desire to be discernable or visible. The body, which is the most prominent display area of action and culture, is the first and only object of the subject. For this reason, humanity has primarily used its body as a means of self-expression. Within this indicative context of the body art is one main of the forms of expression that stand out. Art production is shaped by the dynamics of its age. It is seen that the body, which is an indispensable element of art as well as the social domain, has been chosen as the subject in every period during the historical process. While the body was historically the passive object of art for ages, in the age of technology it has evolved into being the subject of art. Keywords: Consumption Culture, perception management, commodification, Body Art, Performance, Image, Manipulation, Body, Surveillance Society