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Elaboration Likelihood Model Essay

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Elaboration Likelihood Model of Richard Petty & John Cacioppo

According to Daniel J. O'Keefe in his article, "Elaboration Likelihood Model," it is important to know there are two classes of factors that influence how much a receiver will engage in elaboration. The first is the receiver's motivation to engage in elaboration and the second is their ability to engage. I now want to look more in depth of what factors affect a receiver's motivation and ability.

For a receiver to be motivated he/she must be involved in the topic. How relevant is the topic to the receiver? When an issue is personally relevant the receiver's motivation will increase. A second factor that affects receiver motivation is when a message is presented by …show more content…

Two factors that affect a receiver's elaboration ability are distraction and prior knowledge. First, distraction is anything stimuli that distracts you while trying to comprehend a message. Sometimes distraction may help the speaker in trying to influence you. There are also instances when distraction may not help the speaker. In O'Keefe's article he said that if a receiver would ordinarily have favorably thoughts toward a subject, than distraction would reduce persuasive effectiveness. However, if a subject has unfavorable thoughts toward a subject, than distraction would enhance persuasive effectiveness.

The second factor that influences a receiver's elaboration ability is their prior knowledge in the subject. If a person has extensive prior knowledge they will be able to engage more in issue-relevant thinking. People with prior knowledge are more likely to generate counterarguments about a topic. They are more affected by a message's argument strength and in result will enhance the receiver's persuasion.

In summary, I have mentioned a variety of factors that can influence persuasion. Because people are different and situations are different it is important you know your audience when trying to persuade. When you are aware of your audience's knowledge and background you will be at an advantage when trying to persuade them.

A theory

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