Peripheral Route of Persuasion in Political Campaigns

Social psychology explores how attitudes affect behaviors and decision-making. One prominent area of study involves the Dual Process Theory, which posits two routes through which attitudes can influence actions: the central route and the peripheral route. The central route involves thoughtful consideration and critical analysis, while the peripheral route relies on superficial cues and heuristics.

Consider a political campaign where a candidate’s advertisements focus solely on their personal charisma and appearance rather than on substantive policy issues. Which of the following best illustrates the concept of the peripheral route of persuasion in this context?