Different strokes for different folks.

Persuasion is a process of social influence in which attitudes are changed. Although to many persuasion may be a difficult task, to some it is an art. Perhaps persuasion is difficult for some because they do not understand the "Elaboration Likelihood Model" proposed by Petty and Cacioppo (1986). This dual-process model of persuasion purposes two routes to persuasion: a central route and a peripheral route. The central route of persuasion is used when a person thinks carefully and critically about the arguments being communicated to them and the peripheral route is used when the argument being communicated is influenced by positive or negative cues rather then its strength. Throughout research,

this model has provided a framework that helps others to understand the process of persuasion and persuasion communication (Petty & Wegener, 1998) . Another reason people may not be great persuaders is because of other problems that get in the way such as the concept known as Psychological Reactance. This theory suggests that people react against threats to their beliefs by perceiving their threatened beliefs as more attractive (Brehm & Brehm, 1981).

Before I met Dee, I prided myself on how easily I could persuade others. Whether it was my family, friends, or teachers it wasn't very hard to get my way because I understood Petty and Cacioppo's dual-process model (1986). I was able to change my persuasion communication to fit whoever I was trying to persuade. With Dee, I believe that the psychological reactance theory comes into effect every time an argument that he doesn't agree with comes about. Take our religion as an example. He and I both have different religions. One day my mother invited him to church

and he stated that he wouldn't be able to go until he talked to him mom about it (his religion is very strict about that kind of thing). Later on that night, I didn't think it would be that big of a deal so I began to explain my beliefs and how I didn't understand his views about not being able to go to another church. I also explained to him that when I envisioned my future I wanted my husband and I to be a big part of the church (and the same church at that.) He felt as though I was trying to persuade him to go to church with me (although I wasn't, I was just being honest) and needless to say, after that conversation he clung to his religion more then I had ever seen in the 8 months we had been together. He even began to go to church with his family EVERY Sunday although he had not done so for months or maybe years.

Although religion is a topic we have learned to avoid, many other things come up everyday that require attempts towards persuasive communication. It is pretty frustrating to be able to persuade everyone but him! Despite this problem, I know there is a way to persuade him and one day I will learn how...

3 words: Perfecting. Fried. Chicken.

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Brehm, S.S., & Brehm, J.W. (1981). Psychological reactance: A theory of freedom and control. New York: Academic Press.

Petty, R.E., & Cacioppo, J.T. (1986). Communication and persuasion: Central and Peripheral routes to attitude change. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Petty, R.E., & Wegener, D.T. (1998). Attitude change: Multiple roles for persuasion variables. In D. Gilbert, S. Fiske, & G. Lindzey. (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (4th ed., pp.323-390). New York: McGraw-Hill.