Action Quote by Joost Meerloo
“Ready made opinions can be distributed day by day through the press, radio, and so on, again and again, till they reach the nerve cell and implant a fixed pattern in the brain. Consequently, guided public opinion is the result, according to Pavlovian theoreticians, of good propaganda technique, and the polls [are] a verification of the temporary successful action of the Pavlovian machinations on the mind.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of Totalitarianism, 1948
Repeated propaganda implants ideas into minds, shaping public opinion through Pavlovian conditioning.
In simple terms: Constant messaging can condition people to accept certain views.
Key Takeaway
Question sources and seek diverse perspectives to avoid mental manipulation.
Themes
propaganda
psychology
media influence
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- media literacy education
- advertising
- social media algorithms
Key Concepts
conditioned response
public opinion formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does repeated exposure affect belief formation?
- What defenses protect against subconscious persuasion?
A Different Perspective
Even without overt propaganda, subtle cues can bias thinking.
![“Public opinion is presumptively an input to policy formation in a democracy because politicians respond to it or at least are believed to respond [to it].” quote by Alan Blinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/589/alan-blinder-47927_democracy_public-opinion-is-presumptively-an-input_3219792.jpg)
