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August 1, 2026Media War & Conflict

Weaponized narratives: A social psychological theory of story-based influence in cognitive warfare

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Authors

PWPaul Wood

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Overview

This article develops a theory of how narratives influence cognitive warfare, suggesting effective strategies for counter-narratives.

Key Points

  • This article aims to explain the psychological mechanisms by which weaponized narratives influence beliefs and behaviors in cognitive warfare.
  • Developed a four-stage process model to explain narrative influence.
  • Synthesized theories including narrative transportation, attribution, framing, and social identity.
  • Applied the model to analyze Russia's narrative operations in Crimea.
  • Identified four narrative strategies: identity, threat, moral, and conspiracy narratives.
  • Described a sequential four-stage process: immersion, identity alignment, emotional activation, and behavioral shift.
  • Highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in amplifying narrative impact.

Cite This Study

Paul Wood (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a6d985be258b358b3c6b95dhttps://doi.org/10.1177/17506352261472759
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