Behavioral recognition of the Umayyad apparatus in the framework of the components of psychological operations

Master's Thesis in Social Sciences

Today, psychological operations include various methods and techniques, but this meaning cannot be limited to a specific technique or method, from this point of view, psychological operations is a process that affects the audience by means of various tools and devices, a process that has changed over the centuries and has produced various meanings today with a modern face. It is possible, therefore, one of the theories that has tried to explain the concept of psychological operations and explain its process in this sense is the theory of cognitive dissonance in communication science and social psychology. Based on this and considering the necessity of knowing the identity components of one's society in order to explain native defense patterns with an analytical approach in Islamic history, one of the most ups and downs in the history of Islam, namely the Umayyad period, was evaluated and reread based on the components of psychological operations and cognitive dissonance theory. Clarifying the meaning of psychological operations in the behavioral methods of the Umayyad caliphate, the process of this psychological operation was evaluated and described by the Umayyads based on the theory of cognitive dissonance.

Key words: psychological operations, propaganda, public opinion, Umayyad system

Chapter 1-Generalities

1- Introduction

Nowadays, the importance of public opinion [1] in political and security management, which itself stems from technological developments in the world, has increased significantly, the ways Dominance and influence[2] have been subjected to fundamental changes by great powers and the effort to impose will through software methods and using soft power[3] has been put on the agenda of these governments. The prevalence of the use of soft threat methods such as psychological operations has spread in such a way that some refer to it as permanent war or continuous battle. According to Shahid Avini, "security houses are located under the volcanoes", there is no escape from the onslaught of soft threats, although soft threats are constantly changing with the increasing development of technology, but knowing these threats away from their practical foundations and historical place will not be very helpful.

With the development of mass communication tools and the expansion of international relations, the effect of propaganda and psychological operations on social cultures and attitudes is quite tangible and is used as a tactic to change public opinion. has been used. However, public opinion is not a newly emerging phenomenon, but it has been an influential component in different historical eras and in the knowledge of human societies. Propaganda and strategic use of it to achieve its goals and isolate the enemy has its roots in the most primitive communities, communities that have evolved in step with human history and created the complex world of technology and the small global village of communication, but in the meantime, the foundations and roots of social realities should not and cannot be ignored, therefore, history and its study have always been emphasized, and this is why history has always been one of the components of the identity of societies and people, based on this, the foundations of civilization of various cultures have contributed It has a vastness in today's realities and a huge part of today's success is due to the advanced societies, of course we all know that the rise and fall of generations is not only due to this reason but also due to various reasons, but the effort and effort of the societies is also an undeniable element. There are many countries in the third world countries that have many internal and external problems with a strong civilizational background and live in stagnation and poverty. By seeing such facts, it is easy to understand that the cause of many backwardness and backwardness, in addition to many hardships that have happened to those nations, has been the failure to return to the principles of civilization and historical achievements and the production of native science. The problem of Western and Eastern humanities that many countries, especially the countries of the Islamic world, are facing today, as many of the elders of the Islamic world rely on it, is a root issue that must be addressed in universities, seminaries and scientific centers.

In this way, by understanding the advancing conditions and increasing totalitarianism of the enemy and the uneven conditions that the enemies are facing, in order to confront and fight the soft war of the enemy, which includes a wide range of people in the society and public opinion, and in order to produce indigenous defense patterns of the country, it is more important than ever to pay attention and recognize the main civilizational elements of the society with regard to science and human capital.But the ups and downs history of the beginning of Islam as a bright light has always been blind to the paths of time that paved the way for our Islamic society, a history that has shaped our possessions, desires and ideals and is meant to be a model for our future path.

By paying attention to the history of Islam, we can see that one of the biggest or, in the author's words, the biggest threat to the Islamic world were the Umayyads. It stood against pure Islam, during the years of its rule over parts of the Islamic world, the Umayyads showed such enmity and enmity towards the truth that one can hardly find an example for it, hence the importance of this period can be understood. The main function of psychological operations [4] of the enemy was and is to create a gap and deviation in the Islamic society, a deviation that has always separated a part of the Muslim society by causing cognitive damage in line with the enemies' goals.

For this reason and based on the vacuum felt in this area and with the cooperation of professors and friends who have opinions, we have stepped in this direction and it is hoped that the future results will provide a clear picture of history with a new-thinking look at drawing a scientific approach in the authorities and those involved in This area should be a small part of this group in raising the sacred flag of our country. 2- The issue and its definition. Humans have always resorted to ways and tricks to influence others. The production of a concept such as psychological operations with a modernized color and flavor, in a brief definition, psychological operations can be considered as "the precise and designed use of advertisements and other facilities in order to influence the thoughts, feelings, tendencies and behavior of friendly, enemy and neutral groups to achieve goals". (Hosseini, 1383: 12), what is significant in the definition is the use of advertisements[5] and other facilities, which in fact does not limit psychological operations to advertisements, although the term psychological operations is a modern concept, but this meaning can be observed throughout history and all kinds of human activities and actions, the most important of which have been in different and diverse ways at certain times such as crises, wars, local conflicts, while over time communication as a tool in the logic of psychological operations has been effective on its methods and progress Technology has created new tools and to some extent caused new methods and brought about changes in the techniques of psychological operations, but what can be emphasized is that humans have not recently discovered the phenomenon of psychological influence and its use in war, peace and politics, but only its ideas have evolved and developed in the last century, and in fact, there is hardly a moment in the history of human social and political life that is free from these elements, with the advent of Islam, a new development in propaganda was born. One of the Arab writers in He writes about this:

"With the advent of Islam, advertising entered a new stage, in such a way that public advertising was mixed with secret advertising, and it changed from arbitrary and fluctuating to an organized and specialized industry, and it was removed from the monopoly of some people such as rulers or powerful strata such as politicians and businessmen, and it was promoted to all worthy people at any time and place, and from absolute domination or absolute chaos to freedom of thought and freedom of humanity." Opened." (Kavesh, 1383: 1)

The ups and downs history of Islam and specifically the period of Umayyad rule over a part of the Islamic lands is the period, when the Umayyad system with its psychological and military effort on the people provided the ground for silence and their cooperation in maintaining their rule and the martyrdom of Sayyid al-Shohad (a.s.). Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (a.s.) introduces the presence of the Umayyads as the most terrifying seditions: "Be aware! Indeed, the most frightening seditions in my opinion is the sedition of the Umayyad tribe against you