Help me on this multiple choice question please

Question

A popular talk show host, jovial and sharp-witted as usual, outlines his views on the death penalty,
taking time to consider both sides of the issue. As a long-time listener to that talk show, if you're swayed to adopt the talk-show host's point of view, it will probably be due to
A. the character of the message.
B. your temperament and character.
C. your tendency to employ peripheral route processing.
D. the medium of the message (radio).

Answer 1

You have just posted a topic for a term paper!

 

Now, PLZ analyze the question and the distractors (possible choices).  Assuming there is only one correct answer (the "key"), we must either select it or eliminate the others.  Which fits best?

 

First, the question.  It is loaded with words and phrases like "popular." "jovial," "sharp-witted,"  -- but he gives "his views."  IMPORTANT:  It is impossible to get both sides of any situation from one person (you may quote me) -- even when they include "he said" and "she said," the presentation is still very bias.  This is why we have a prosecutor and a defense attorney, etc.

 

Now, taking "time to think" does not allow you to ponder the other side, it merely gives you time to submit to his presentation.  And, what's not to like about this guy; you're a long-time listener?  If you disagreed much, you might (now, some people won't) have quit listening to him long ago.

 

O.K. it's not the audio medium.  Although radio is still nice for background music and talk programs while driving or doing household chores, radio isn't the top reason for changing ideas (note: media of all kinds does have this goal!).

 

And your temperament, although being tested by attempts to easily persuade you, should not be the primary reason for you to be swayed by this guy (you are taking a psychology class, so I assume that you're no dummy).

 

What is the character of the message?  A message does have viability when studies and statistics are presented, when history gives credibility, when math or scientific methods or computer models or ... support the idea (e.g., if the useful lifetime of bridges is only 10 years, then we need to replace some bridges), but for a "talk show" we do not hear these very often (are you listening to Dr. Phil?).

 

That leaves "peripheral route processing."  Wow, in the middle of a psych test this term appears by itself in a distractor to a question.  Why is that?  Well, here is a definition:

 

Peripheral Route Processing (also known as Peripheral Route To Persuasion) occurs when someone evaluates a message, such as an advertisement, on the basis of physical attractiveness, background music, or other surface-level characteristics rather than the actual content of the message. For example, if you’re watching a political debate on TV and the best-dressed candidate seems the most convincing to you, you may have taken the peripheral route to being persuaded. According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion, people tend to take this route when they are not that interested in the topic or product or when their understanding of it is low.

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Peripheral%20Route%20Processing#ixzz3hxpKJCF0

 

Guessing is not as good as being certain, but this seems to be a pretty good choice.  What do you think?