The path of persuasion when the issue being discussed does not matter much to the listener or the listener is distracted. Relatively superficial factors (whether the person offering the arguments is attractive, the number of arguments offered) will determine persuasiveness. Convincing arguments are less important. See also central route to persuasion.

Persuasion that occurs when people do not think carefully about a communication and instead are influenced by cues that are irrelevant to the content or quality of the communication.

The process by which a person does not think carefully about a communication and is influenced instead by superficial cues.