What persuasive technique involves appealing to consumers’ emotions by playing on their guilt or sympathy?

The technique that involves appealing to consumers' emotions by playing on their guilt or sympathy is the Appeal to Pity. This method leverages the emotional response of the audience, urging them to feel compassion or remorse, which can lead them to take a specific action, such as buying a product or supporting a cause. For instance, advertisements that show vulnerable individuals, animals in need, or dire situations often use this technique to elicit feelings of pity, prompting viewers to contribute or purchase in hopes of alleviating the presented struggle. This effectiveness lies in the emotional connection established with the audience, compelling them to respond to their feelings. Other techniques listed, while persuasive in their own right, do not specifically target guilt or sympathy in the same way as the Appeal to Pity.