‘No-one Likes a Cry-Baby’: The Effectiveness of Victimization Narratives in External Information Operations
Abstract:
This study investigates the extent to which victimization narratives in state information campaigns are an effective way to influence targeted external audiences. It focuses on two prolific users of information operations in opposition to the West, namely Russia and the People’s Republic of China. In order to test whether the use of a victimization narrative increases the effectiveness of messaging in disinformation campaigns, the authors conducted dual experimental simulations on two samples of proxy target audiences. The experiment did not reveal any clear advantages in the use of a victimization narrative; rather there were indications (some of them statistically significant), that a victimization narrative could backfire.
AUTHORS
College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
University at Albany
Albany, NY, United States of America
Gary Ackerman is an Associate Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity at SUNY, Albany, where his research focuses on assessing emerging threats and understanding how terrorists and other adversaries make tactical, operational, and strategic decisions, particularly with regard to innovating in their use of weapons and tactics. Much of his work in this area is centered on the motivations and capabilities for non-state actors to acquire and use chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons, as well as other emerging technologies. In addition to his faculty position at Albany, he is Associate Dean for Research at the College, and the founding director of the Center for Advanced Red Teaming (CART).
Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD, United States of America
Annie Sundelson is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering (Health Security Track) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research focuses on health-related misinformation and disinformation. She is currently pursuing dissertation research on the nature and consequences of Russian state-sponsored disinformation about biological weapons. Sundelson holds a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Russian Language and Literature and an M.Sc. from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Reproductive and Sexual Health Research.
College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity University at Albany
Albany, NY, United States of America
Anna Wetzel is a Research Associate with the Center for Advanced Red Teaming (CART). She received her B.A. from University at Albany, where she double majored in Political Science and Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity. She has worked with CART in various capacities since it was founded and has been a full-time staff member since 2021. Her current focus is on the implementation of advanced red teaming methodologies, particularly the use of online platforms to design and conduct red team exercises.
Published In
Journal of Information Warfare
The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.
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