About Mere-Exposure Effect

The Mere-Exposure Effect, also known as the Familiarity Principle, refers to the robust and reliable research finding that individuals tend to develop a preference for things simply based on repeated exposure and familiarity. Whether it’s broccoli, jazz, or your new neighbor, researchers surmise that this effect happens because repeated exposure both makes people less uncertain about new things and makes those new things easier to understand. Gustav Fechner completed the earliest known research on the topic in 1876. Robert Zajonc is the effect’s best-known researcher—conducting experiments over the course of three decades.

In early learning settings, awareness of the Mere-Exposure Effect comes in handy in helping new children settle in to the program, in helping children ease their way into new activities, or in helping coworkers get onboard with a new program policy or practice.

For example, three-year-old Becky may be put off by OOBLECK the first time she encounters the concoction, but by the sixth time it’s made available she loves the stuff. Or maybe Becky’s teacher, Kelly, is 100% against superhero play–until she’s been exposed to it a few times and learned more about it.

Download a free PDF handout of the above image explaining Mere-Exposure Effect here.

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