I believe that you are referring to Peirce's Theory of Signs. In applying his theory to different ways to manipulate a person, I should think that his theory works well. Human beings relate certain things to objects, certain things to habits, and other things to qualities.
In advertising sign vehicles are used all the time to persuade a consumer to buy a product by establishing a mental relationship to an object. The nature of an object determines its signs.
One idea that comes to mind is a commercial that has an alligator walking down the street. The scene in the commercial then moves to a woman's dry skin. The sign has transferred from the alligator as having dry skin to the woman's skin being dry. The product is moisturizer which one also equates to dry skin.
Another sign that comes to mind is one that I saw the other day in a parking lot. The parking lot was attached to a bar and a clothing store. As one drives out of the parking lot one sees a octagon shaped sign with a beer and liquor bottle in the center with a circle with a line drawn through it. I immediately knew it meant no drinking and driving. The sign was not a legit street sign but it right away let me know the law. The sign was intended to deter someone from drinking and driving.
Another example would be the use of a symbol in advertising. The soft cuddly fluffy Labrador puppy rolling across the floor like a roll of toilet paper signifies softness. People know puppy fur is soft and the puppy is very clean and soft looking. It is used as a sign vehicle to manipulate the consumer into believing that the toilet paper must be soft and clean.
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