Which of the following best describes emotional appeal in the elaboration likelihood model?

Emotional appeal in the elaboration likelihood model is best associated with the peripheral route to persuasion. This route relies on superficial cues and emotional reactions rather than the careful processing of information. When a speaker or message appeals to emotions, such as fear, happiness, or nostalgia, it aims to influence the audience's attitudes and decisions through these emotional responses rather than through logical arguments or the quality of the content itself.

In contrast, the central route to persuasion engages individuals in thoughtful consideration of the arguments presented, focusing on logical reasoning and the merit of the message. While logical reasoning and self-assessment focus on rational thought processes and critical evaluation of information, they do not specifically address the role of emotions in persuasion as the peripheral route does. The peripheral route allows messages to be effective even when the audience is not highly motivated or able to process the information deeply, making emotional appeal a key component in reaching audiences who may not engage in intensive cognitive processing.