text: Chapter 2
  foundational to understanding the social variable. A society is defined as a population whose members are
  subject to the same political authority, occupy a common territory, have a common culture, and share a
  sense of identity. However, no society is completely homogeneous. A society usually has a dominant
  culture, but it can have secondary cultures. Different societies may share similar cultures, as Canada and
  the U.S. do. Societies are not static, but change over time. (For more information on this variable, see
  chapter 3 of this publication and ADRP 5-0.)
  INFORMATION
  2-33. The information variable describes the nature, scope, characteristics, and effects of individuals,
  organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information. The information
  environment is the aggregate of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate,
  or act on information (JP 3-13). Understanding the communications systems is important because they
  influence international, national, regional, and local audiences. Insurgents often use information and
  disinformation to gain credibility and legitimacy with the population, while simultaneously undermining
  their opponents. Understanding how people communicate and who influences them on a daily basis is
  essential. This is important at all levels. For example, identifying local gathering places is important to
  understand or influence the spread of information, rumors, and gossip.
  2-34. The information environment is made up of three dimensions: physical, informational, and cognitive.
  The cognitive dimension encompasses the mind of the decisionmaker or specific audience and is the
  dimension where people think, perceive, visualize, and decide. The informational dimension is the place
  where information is collected, processed, stored, disseminated, displayed, and protected with key
  components of the content and flow of information. The physical dimension is composed of systems,
  human beings (including decisionmakers, leaders, and military forces), and supporting infrastructure that
  enable individuals and organizations to create effects conduct operations across air, land, maritime, space
  and cyberspace domains across multiple domains. (See table 2-1.)
  Table 2-1. Interrelated dimensions of the information environment
  Dimension Description
  Cognitive • Exists in the minds of human beings.
  dimension • Consists of individual and collective consciousness.
  • Where information is used to develop perceptions and make decisions.
  • Significant characteristics include values, beliefs, perceptions, awareness,
  and decisionmaking.
  Informational • Created by the interaction of the physical and cognitive dimensions.
  dimension • Where information is collected, processed, and disseminated.
  • Significant characteristics are information content and flow.
  Physical • The tangible, real world.
  dimension • Where the information environment overlaps with the physical world.
  • Consists of targetable individuals, organizations, information systems, and
  the physical networks that connect them.
  • Significant characteristics include terrain, weather, civilian information
  infrastructure, media, populace, and third party organizations.
  2-35. The technological advances in communications offer some unique considerations for insurgencies.
  For one, international communication is easier than it used to be. This allows insurgencies to communicate
  with organizations outside of their physical control. Connecting to diasporas or sympathetic groups could
  be vital to an insurgency. With the ability to communicate comes the ability to move resources and funding.
  Moreover, communications can be vital in importing weapons or other supplies to an insurgency. Global
  communications can be essential in increasing the military capabilities of an insurgency, significantly
  increasing the tempo of insurgent operations and their ability to change tactics.
  2-36. At the operational and tactical level, communications allow for effective coordination of attacks.
  Organizations can communicate by cell phones, by the internet, or a number of other rapid means. This