Tony, a sophomore, listens to a speech favoring a tuition increase at his college for next year. Because Tony intends to return for his junior year, he is more likely to follow the central route to persuasion in listening to the speech than the peripheral route.

The central route to persuasion involves a thorough analysis of the arguments presented, whereas the peripheral route relies on simple cues such as the speaker's credibility or attractiveness. Since Tony has a personal stake in the decision (he plans to return for his junior year), he is more likely to engage in the central route processing and carefully consider the arguments presented in the speech.