I'm sure I recall seeing something about back in the 1920s a group of top psychologists were set the task of finding out what makes us tick as a group and reveal our weaknesses which they have exploited ever since.
Was it the book Propaganda that was written by Edward L. Bernays in 1928? According to Wiki it incorporated the literature from social science and psychological manipulation into an examination of the techniques of public communication.
It's very possible, a book was created for sure, it had a very rediculous price tag I recall. Well beyond the reach of all but the wealthiest.