Psychological Defence and Information Influence: A Textbook on Theory and Practice
Karlstad: Psychological Defence Agency (2025), 257 pp.
ISBN 978-91-989646-8-4
"In an age defined by rapid information flows and shifting security landscapes, the resilience of societies rests not only on military strength or technological capacity, but equally on the ability of individuals and institutions to withstand psychological influence and manipulation. Psychological defence is therefore not merely a technical field, it is a civic responsibility and a cornerstone of democratic resilience. This textbook is the first of its kind: a comprehensive overview of key issues related to psychological defence and information influence written by leading scholars on each topic. The textbook is an anthology with contributions reflecting the broad debate in Sweden and it provides knowledge, practical guidance, and reflection on how psychological defence can be understood and applied in different contexts. It explores the threats we face – such as disinformation and propaganda – and the tools available to counter them, ranging from critical thinking and communication strategies to institutional preparedness. The overarching aim of this book is not only to raise awareness of psychological threats, but also to empower readers with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively and responsibly. By fostering trust, openness, and critical engagement, psychological defence contributes to safeguarding the values of free and democratic societies." (Publisher description)
I. FUNDAMENTALS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENCE
1 Defending Democracy / Olof Petersson, 9
2 Communication & Open Society / Howard Nothhaft, 15
3 The Legal Framework in Sweden / Anna Andersson, Sally Longworth & Pontus Winther, 24
4 The Swedish Total Defence System / Rikard Bengtsson, 38
5 The Swedish Intelligence and Security Services / Per Thunholm, 44
6 Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) / Hedvig Ördén & Kira Vrist-Rønn,55
7 The History of Psychological Defence / Niklas H. Rossbach, 65
8 The Present and Future of Psychological Defence / James Pamment, 72
II. UNDERSTANDING MALIGN INFORMATION INFLUENCE
9 Information Influence: Definitions and Conceptualisation / James Pamment & Jesper Falkheimer, 83
10 Media Systems and Resilience Toward Influence Operations and Disinformation / Jesper Strömbäck, 90
11 Opinion Formation and Political Polarization / Hanna Bäck & Nils Gustafsson, 98
12 Bias and Cognitive Influence Mechanisms / Johan Österberg, 105
13 Rhetorical Strategies for Disinformation / Orla Vigsø, 112
14 Conspiracy Theories as Vectors of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) / Andreas Önnerfors, 117
15 Gender and Disinformation / Elsa Hedling & Martina Smedberg, 124
16 AI and Disinformation / Carl Heath, 131
III. CASE STUDIES IN INFORMATION INFLUENCE
17 “Telling China’s Story Well”: The Chinese Communist Party’s Efforts to Influence the Global Information Sphere / Björn Jerdén, Perry Johansson Vig, Erika Staffas Edström, Alexis Von Sydow, 143
18 Russia’s Information Influence / Anneli Ahonen, 150
19 The Commercial Disinformation Ecosystem / Darejan Tsurtsumia & James Pamment, 159
20 Election Interference: A Psychological Defence Perspective / Sebastian Bay, 169
21 The Lvu Disinformation Campaign Against the Social Services in Sweden / Magnus Ranstorp, 184
22 Arts, Culture and Psychological Defence / Anna McWilliams, 190
23 Information Influence and Video Games / Elsa Isaksson, 196
IV. COUNTERMEASURES
24 Psychological Mechanisms Related to Influence and Persuasion / Björn Palmertz, 205
25 Education Against Disinformation / Thomas Nygren & Ullrich K. H. Ecker, 214
26 Crisis Communication for Psychological Defence / Jesper Falkheimer, 224
27 Lessons Learned from the War in Ukraine / Ivar Ekman & Per-Erik Nilsson, 232
28 Deterrence in the Information Environment / Hedvig Ördén, 238
29 Attribution / Hedvig Ördén & James Pamment, 246
30 The Ethics of Countering Disinformation / Alicia Fjällhed, 252
1 Defending Democracy / Olof Petersson, 9
2 Communication & Open Society / Howard Nothhaft, 15
3 The Legal Framework in Sweden / Anna Andersson, Sally Longworth & Pontus Winther, 24
4 The Swedish Total Defence System / Rikard Bengtsson, 38
5 The Swedish Intelligence and Security Services / Per Thunholm, 44
6 Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) / Hedvig Ördén & Kira Vrist-Rønn,55
7 The History of Psychological Defence / Niklas H. Rossbach, 65
8 The Present and Future of Psychological Defence / James Pamment, 72
II. UNDERSTANDING MALIGN INFORMATION INFLUENCE
9 Information Influence: Definitions and Conceptualisation / James Pamment & Jesper Falkheimer, 83
10 Media Systems and Resilience Toward Influence Operations and Disinformation / Jesper Strömbäck, 90
11 Opinion Formation and Political Polarization / Hanna Bäck & Nils Gustafsson, 98
12 Bias and Cognitive Influence Mechanisms / Johan Österberg, 105
13 Rhetorical Strategies for Disinformation / Orla Vigsø, 112
14 Conspiracy Theories as Vectors of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) / Andreas Önnerfors, 117
15 Gender and Disinformation / Elsa Hedling & Martina Smedberg, 124
16 AI and Disinformation / Carl Heath, 131
III. CASE STUDIES IN INFORMATION INFLUENCE
17 “Telling China’s Story Well”: The Chinese Communist Party’s Efforts to Influence the Global Information Sphere / Björn Jerdén, Perry Johansson Vig, Erika Staffas Edström, Alexis Von Sydow, 143
18 Russia’s Information Influence / Anneli Ahonen, 150
19 The Commercial Disinformation Ecosystem / Darejan Tsurtsumia & James Pamment, 159
20 Election Interference: A Psychological Defence Perspective / Sebastian Bay, 169
21 The Lvu Disinformation Campaign Against the Social Services in Sweden / Magnus Ranstorp, 184
22 Arts, Culture and Psychological Defence / Anna McWilliams, 190
23 Information Influence and Video Games / Elsa Isaksson, 196
IV. COUNTERMEASURES
24 Psychological Mechanisms Related to Influence and Persuasion / Björn Palmertz, 205
25 Education Against Disinformation / Thomas Nygren & Ullrich K. H. Ecker, 214
26 Crisis Communication for Psychological Defence / Jesper Falkheimer, 224
27 Lessons Learned from the War in Ukraine / Ivar Ekman & Per-Erik Nilsson, 232
28 Deterrence in the Information Environment / Hedvig Ördén, 238
29 Attribution / Hedvig Ördén & James Pamment, 246
30 The Ethics of Countering Disinformation / Alicia Fjällhed, 252
