What is a technique used to influence people to believe, buy, or do something?

The concept of propaganda techniques refers specifically to methods and strategies that are designed to influence public opinion and behavior towards a particular agenda or cause. These techniques often employ emotional appeals, sensationalism, or selective presentation of facts to sway individuals' beliefs and actions.

By utilizing various forms of media or communication, propaganda techniques aim to create a persuasive effect that can mobilize support or drive consumer behavior. This targeted influence is foundational to understanding how messages can shape perceptions and prompt action, whether in marketing, political campaigns, or social movements.

Persuasion in general is a broader umbrella term that can encompass various methods, including propaganda. Rhetorical devices are tools used within persuasive communication to enhance arguments but do not specifically address the overall technique of influencing others. Influence strategies can refer to a wide range of methods beyond just persuasive or propagandistic tactics, making them less specific than propaganda techniques. Thus, focusing on the structured methods found in propaganda gives a clearer insight into the mechanisms of influence.