OVERARCHING THEORY: THE ELABORATION LIKELIHOOD MODEL (ELM)
Cognitive energy spent on processing a message may vary among individuals in different contexts (Petty et al 1986). The
variations in cognitive elaboration, ceteris paribus, may affect the extent of a message’s influence. According to Petty and
Cacioppo (1986), elaborating on a message requires ability and motivation. The elaboration likelihood model (ELM)
suggests that when elaboration is high, the recipient experiences a central route of persuasion, but when elaboration is low,
the recipient experiences a peripheral route (Petty et al. 1986). When elaboration is low, influence typically acts through very
simple decision criteria and cues such as design, endorsements, and attractiveness. Individuals use these cues either because
they are not deeply involved in the issue, are not motivated enough to do so, or don’t have sufficient knowledge about the
subject matter. They do not devote the necessary cognitive energy or find themselves unable to expend the effort (Petty et al.
1986). It has also been noted that non-experts rely less on argument quality and instead focus on peripheral cues such as
design and source credibility (Petty et al. 1981). “Internet shoppers, especially those who perceive a high risk associated
with online transactions may proactively search for and carefully examine an e-tailer’s privacy practices to alleviate their
concerns about the privacy of their information” (Pan et al. 2006 p.332).