Is a critical analysis of a preferred alternative, defending unpopular or opposing alternatives for the sake of argument.

The correct answer is devil's advocacy.

Explanation:

Devil's advocacy refers to a decision-making technique which used for the purpose of combating groupthink (making decisions as a group) One or more people from the group take up the role of devil's advocate and go on to pinpoint flaws and risks in the subject under consideration. As discussed in the question, it is used to defend unpopular or opposing alternatives for the sake of debate.

The answer is peripheral route of persuasion in which an individual most likely put consideration to his or her decision about a certain information or product that he or she feels that it is something she or he can be influenced with or attain because of the other party’s behavior that affected him or her.