This is far more deadly than any physical or chemical weapon ever created by man. Words and actions are powerful tools. It is because of these elements that makes a pen mightier than a sword. However to live in a world where war isn’t focused on guns and swords and tanks and missiles, "damaging" one’s way of thinking is another story.

Psychological warfare is an art of defeating the enemy by diminishing his will to fight. It is convincing the enemy that everything about him is of low quality, from his way of leading his men to his equipment.

Call it Psy Ops, Political Warfare, "Hearts and Minds", and even Propaganda, this type of weaponry usually targets the audience’s value systems, beliefs, emotions, motives, reasoning, or behavior. The said audiences that need influencing can be the governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.

Among the two major factors that contribute to physiological warfare are propaganda and rumor. Propaganda, according to International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, is manipulation by means of symbols. These symbols are words, gestures, flags, images, monuments, music, etc. These are tools to change people’s opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior to achieve the national objectives.

Propaganda has several devices that are used to start influencing the mind of those who listen.

1. Name calling. To call someone in a term (like a direct accusation) that would let people judge without even examining.

2. Glittering Generality. Associating something with "virtue word" to take something positively without even examining the evidence.

3. Transfer. To quote from an authoritative context that will prove one’s point.

4. Testimonial. Where a respected or hated person is quoted to state an idea upon something whether it is good or bad.

5. Plain folk. Speaker attempts to convince people of his good ideals since they are for the people.

6. Card Stacking. Selection of opposing ideals that may give the best or the worst idea regarding a person, programme or product.

7. Band Wagon. Gives the theme "Everybody—at least all of us—are doing it". This is sort of like following the trend, where it says we must follow the crowd and "jump the bandwagon".

Rumor is information on news without verification whether it is a fact or falsehood. It usually circulates within a group in proportion depending on the importance each individual thinks. Here are some kinds of rumors that give different effect on an individual:

1. Hostility Wedge Driving. these are rumors that started during the Gulf War series which speaks things against the US

2. Fear (Bogy rumors). Creating false impression against a certain entity like Islam, calling Muslim as Radical Islams.

3. Wish (Pipe-Dream) – rumors that somehow seems to pertain to that which can make someone glad like Salaries Revision

4. Unclassified rumors. Intentional rumors from upwards to the downward to have false hope.

Rumors are said to serve as explanation and emotional reliever which is usually felt by the individual. Sigmund Freud sees this reason as satisfying man’s instinct since it is so amendable. These satisfactions are replaced by reasonable arguments sooner or later. As rumors travel it becomes shorter and more concise which makes it easier to grasp and told. They become selective perception, where retention and reporting are done on a limited number of details.

Propaganda or Rumor holds a distinct harm towards a person regardless of age and gender or social status. The powerful men have their own fight as they try to influence those who have placed them in their seat to still think of them as all good, while the average people deal with these in whole new different level. Background check traces this back to have started during the World War yet, let’s admit that this is still applicable whether in the office or at school, even homes find themselves with such arguments that at times lead to separation. Words are not just mere words. They can at times be curses that may instigate harm or lack of luck. Be careful in using them especially in playing mind games.