- Clearer Thinking Team
Serial Position Effect: Definition, Examples and Effects
Updated: Jun 2
The mere exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when people are exposed to a stimulus multiple times. It is a form of cognitive bias that can influence our preferences and decisions. In this blog post, we will explore the definition, examples, and effects of the mere exposure effect.
Definition: The mere exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when people are exposed to a stimulus multiple times. It is a form of cognitive bias that can influence our preferences and decisions. The mere exposure effect is based on the idea that people tend to prefer things that are familiar to them.
Examples: The mere exposure effect can be seen in many different areas of life. For example, people may prefer a certain type of food because they have been exposed to it multiple times. Similarly, people may prefer a certain type of music because they have heard it many times. The mere exposure effect can also be seen in advertising, as companies may use the same ad multiple times in order to increase its effectiveness.
Effects: The mere exposure effect can have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it can help people to become more familiar with something and increase their enjoyment of it. On the negative side, it can lead to people making decisions based on familiarity rather than on what is best for them. It can also lead to people becoming too comfortable with something and not exploring other options.
Overall, the mere exposure effect is an important psychological phenomenon that can influence our preferences and decisions. It is important to be aware of this effect and to consider other factors when making decisions.
Do you want to expand your knowledge on this topic? Read our full in-depth article on cognitive biases.
Do you have extra 15 minutes today? Takeour fun and interactive quiz to learn which of 16 reasoning styles you use, your overall level of rationality, and what you can do now to improve your rationality skills.