UNCLASSIFIED - Counter-MDM Interventions - Protecting servicemembers Evidence-based interventions UNCLASSIFIED

We provided a brief history of each technique, a description of how each one works, and a summary of the state of research on each technique. [...] • Inoculation works if people: o have imperfect knowledge of a topic o have imperfect knowledge of the techniques of manipulation o care that they are being manipulated • Inoculations can be designed to: o target MDM on a specific topic o target the techniques used by the creators of MDM • Inoculations may be more effective when they actively engage the user • Inoculations can be given before or a. [...] therapeutic inoculation) • Inoculations that cite consensus information may be more effective • Inoculation is potentially useful as a component of a training program designed to teach US servicemembers how to protect themselves from MDM Debunking is the use of a concise correction to MDM that demonstrates that the prior message or messaging campaign was inaccurate. [...] More specific guidance—in the form of an assessment of applicability to military populations, a list of best practices, and recommendations for near-term implementation—can be found in the companion report [2]. [...] The views, opinions, and findings contained in this report should not be construed as representing the official position of the Department of the Navy.