What is defined as a personal connection someone has with an issue?

The term that describes a personal connection someone has with an issue is pertinence. Pertinence refers to the relevance or applicability of something to an individual's experiences, feelings, or beliefs. When someone feels a strong personal connection to an issue, it often means that the issue resonates with their own life circumstances or emotional state, making it particularly relevant and significant to them.

In public relations, understanding the pertinence of an issue to different audiences is crucial. It helps communication professionals tailor their messages effectively to engage their audience members based on the issues they care about personally. By recognizing the pertinence of certain topics, PR practitioners can create strategies that foster meaningful connections between their clients and the public.

While the other terms—affection, conation, and selective perception—do relate to human emotions and perceptions in various contexts, they do not specifically encapsulate the concept of personal relevance in the same way that pertinence does.