Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

Article by: Ben Janse

Last update: June 26, 2023

Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion: this article provides a practical explanation of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion (ELM) in Psychology by Richard Petty and John Cacioppo. It covers what ELM is, what the role of persuasion is and what the route to persuasion is. It concludes with an Elaboration Likelihood Model example. After reading, you’ll understand the basics of this communication and psychology tool. Enjoy reading!

What is the Elaboration Likelihood Model?

The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of persuasion is a dual process theory that describes the change of attitudes and behaviour.

The theory explains how attitudes are formed and reinforced by persuasive arguments. The models shows that people process information on a certain level when that information is given to them.

In this context, this means the effort a person takes to evaluate, remember and accept or reject the message. According to the model, this is possible in two ways. The level of effort can be low or high. The level of elaboration subsequently determines the processing route the message takes: central or peripheral.

The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) is designed to discover how it’s possible that there are differences in persuasion. The model also shows these differences affect people’s attitudes. Elaboration in this model therefore refers to the cognitive action that occurs when analysing a persuasive argument.

In other words, why does person A make another decision after hearing the same argument than person B? Furthermore, the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) describes the basic processes and variables in persuasive communication, such as in a sales pitch. It also measures people’s willingness to engage in elaboration. This depends on their motivation and competence.

In general, people are more motivated to elaborate when the message is important to them. Competence refers to the knowledge and other means that are required to evaluate all aspects of an argument.

The model, developed by Richard E Petty and John Cacioppo, was published in the 80’s.

Figure 1 – Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion (Petty & Cacioppo, 1986)

Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion

Persuasion often has a negative reputation. It’s connected to swindling or to being confronted with things people aren’t asking for.

However, persuasion isn’t inherently negative. In fact, persuasion is everywhere, and it’s a process of influence. This influence can be used positively or negatively. In his theory ‘The Dynamics of Persuasion’, Richard Perloff explains exactly what the power of persuasion is.

To start, persuasion is communication. Communication, and therefore persuasion, occurs frequently in daily situations.

The core of persuasion lies in a strong and clear message that is exchanged between two parties. This message is conveyed in an attempt to persuade. The success of this attempt depends upon how well the target audience is known and understood.

This means that persuasion isn’t force. After all, in that case, the second party wouldn’t have any say in the matter. Rather, persuasion is about changing the other’s opinion by means of good arguments despite counter arguments.

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion, persuasion can reinforce attitudes. Academics have tried to explain how persuasion works on individuals and their behaviour for years, but the authors of ELM were the first to succeed.

Persuasion isn’t just about the words in the message. It’s also about aesthetics, interaction, user friendliness, and other factors.

Elaboration Likelihood Model: routes to Persuasion in Processing of persuasive information

ELM makes clear that when a person is confronted with a persuasive message, this person will process this on a certain level. This is crucial to understand the message. That means how much trouble this person takes to process, evaluate, remember, and accept or reject the message.

The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion determines that there are two routes the message can take: central and peripheral routes. This depends on the personal motivation, opportunity, or ability that influence the message.

Central Route Processing

Central route processing, or centrally processing, entails that the target audience cares for the message and will therefore have a high level of elaboration. In this case, the audience investigate the message’s content, rather than just reading through it. This is because they are highly motivated and know what’s important to them.

The central route is powerful. It demands a thoughtful consideration of arguments that are contained in the message. Therefore, the reader or viewer must be highly involved and consider all arguments from every possible angle. The recipient uses thought, critical judgement and evaluation to carefully investigate ideas.

In short, central persuasion requires two elements: sufficient arguments and information in the message to analyse this and the recipient’s willingness to engage in elaboration.

Peripheral Route Processing

In peripheral route processing, the target audience doesn’t care about the message. This is a low level of elaboration. The audience will put less effort into investigating the message and is influenced by secondary factors. Examples of this are the source’s credibility, presentation, humour, or food.

The peripheral route processing is weak, and the recipient’s engagement is low. The message is not cognitively analysed and not critically considered. Therefore, the recipient isn’t sure whether to agree or disagree with the message. This is because there are no peripheral cues. He can be distracted from the core by secondary issues such as the packaging material and marketing campaigns.

Elaboration Likelihood Model: factors Route Determination

The two most influential factors that affect the processing route a person are motivation and the ability to elaborate. A third factor has been added to this.

Motivation

Motivation can be influenced by attitude. An example of this is the cognitive dissonance theory. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person experience unpleasant tension caused by opposed persuasions, ideas, or convictions. Or when he acts in violation of his own convictions.

Ability

Ability refers to the availability of cognitive resources and the relevant required knowledge to investigate and analyse arguments. The ability to process a message can be affected by, for instance, noise such as background sounds in a quiet library. The degree to which someone is familiar with a subject also determines whether or not engagement is achieved.

Opportunity

Some psychologists list opportunity under ability. This is because it relates to time and place and how much time a person has to make a decision.

Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion example

Imagine that two individuals, Daniela and Marta, need a new television. Daniela is very interested in technical gadgets and a regular customer of Amazon. However, Marta very rarely makes online purchases and is particularly interested in getting value for money. Amazon wants to persuade both people to purchase their new TV via their website.

Central Route Processing

Both Daniela and Marta probably have a certain level of central route processing. Particularly the price often plays an important role in this route. Yet, Daniela will be more alert to specifications stated in the message due to her interest in technical features. More so than Marta.

Marta simply searches for televisions and filters these from high to low ratings. After having decided which TV to buy, she clicks the option ‘buy now with one click’. This is because Amazon has stored all her information during her previous visits. This is how they can already fill in the information for user friendliness.

It wasn’t difficult to sell a television to Marta. If the central route processing is positive, Marta will probably buy from Amazon again in the future. This will make it more difficult for competitors of Amazon to convince her to buy from them.

Peripheral Route Processing

Amazon puts in every effort concerning design and presentation. This is mainly done to seduce the casual potential buyer. Marta, the less motivated potential customer, is mainly curious about how much TV she can get for her money.

Marta searches the results with a filter. She selects the price to show from low to high. Then she selects the option that she only wants to see results with four or more stars.

She doesn’t take the time or the effort to read the reviews, but settles for seeing the number of stars. Marta then sees the options and selects the television with the highest rating for the best price. Moreover, the website states in large letters that the products are delivered for free.

Appealing to the user’s wish to get a good deal is a classic example of peripheral route persuasion. Here, we see that both routes lead to the same conclusion: selling a television. Design elements, specifications, and other motivations aren’t exclusive to a certain route.

People often process information at a different level of both routes. As such, both routes supplement each other. Daniela processes the information in the product description with specifications via the central route, but uses the star rating as a scale to estimate how like-minded people evaluate the product.

Now It’s Your Turn

What do you think? Do you recognise the explanation of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion? What do you believe are factors that affect the way people are influenced? How do you think you can apply this theory in practice? Do you have any tips or additional comments?

Share your experience and knowledge in the comments box below.

More information

Petty, R. E., & Cacioppo, J. T. (1986). The elaboration likelihood model of persuasion. In Communication and persuasion (pp. 1-24). Springer, New York, NY.
Cacioppo, J. T., & Petty, R. E. (1984). The elaboration likelihood model of persuasion. ACR North American Advances.

How to cite this article:
Janse, B. (2019). Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). Retrieved [insert date] from Toolshero: https://www.toolshero.com/communication-methods/elaboration-likelihood-model-elm/

Published on: 07/10/2019 | Last update: 06/26/2023

Add a link to this page on your website:
<a href=”https://www.toolshero.com/communication-methods/elaboration-likelihood-model-elm/”>Toolshero: Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)</a>

Did you find this article interesting?

Your rating is more than welcome or share this article via Social media!

Average rating 4.3 / 5. Vote count: 6

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Article by:

Ben Janse

Ben Janse is a young professional working at ToolsHero as Content Manager. He is also an International Business student at Rotterdam Business School where he focusses on analyzing and developing management models. Thanks to his theoretical and practical knowledge, he knows how to distinguish main- and side issues and to make the essence of each article clearly visible.