A psychological shock can be caused by news of extraordinary events that cause a vivid and violent reaction in society, destroying all levels of psychological protection.
Thus, after the destruction of this protection, propaganda can push necessary narratives and opinions.
Example: the tragedy of the Mariupol Drama Theater
How the propaganda worked:
1. It promoted the idea that nationalists were killing defenseless civilians, with further demonization and dehumanization of them (nationalists).
2. It created an image of the enemy that must be destroyed – the Banderites and neo-Nazis, who were the ones who hid in the theater.
As a result, the most powerful bombs were dropped on the theater.
Psychological shock can be combined with other mechanisms used by russian propaganda to convince the audience of the need to continue the war against the “neo-Nazis.”
