The proliferation of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) poses serious threats to societal cohesion, trust in institutions, and democratic processes. To enhance understanding of the societal and demographic drivers of FIMI vulnerability, the Center for the Study of Democracy co-organized the international workshop “Psychological, Social, and Behavioral Approaches to FIMI Studies” on June 3–4, 2024, in Brussels. The event brought together leading scholars for interdisciplinary discussions on FIMI drivers and innovative research methodologies, including surveys, behavioral modeling, psychometric tests, computational big data techniques, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The workshop featured keynote addresses by James Pamment, Director of the Psychological Defence Research Institute at Lund University, who presented "The Concept of Psychological Defence," and Massimo Flore, an expert in citizens' vulnerabilities to disinformation and former European Commission disinformation expert, who delivered "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us."
The event comprised four sessions: the first one, "Theoretical and Policy Approaches to FIMI," examined conceptual frameworks defining FIMI, its societal and democratic impacts, and the role of policy and governance in developing effective countermeasures. The second session, "Psychological Drivers of FIMI," focused on the psychological vulnerabilities exploited in disinformation campaigns, including cognitive biases and emotional manipulation, and strategies for enhancing psychological resilience. The third session, "Societal and Demographic Correlates of FIMI Vulnerability," analyzed how social inequalities, education, and demographic factors contribute to susceptibility, identifying indicators of vulnerability within various contexts. The final session, "Computational/Big-Data Approaches to FIMI," highlighted the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data modeling to detect and counteract FIMI, emphasizing innovative technological solutions and predictive tools. Each session fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from psychology, sociology, and technology to address the multifaceted challenges posed by FIMI.
