The mere exposure effect

The mere exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon where people tend to develop a preference for things they encounter frequently. Essentially, the more you are exposed to a person, object, or idea, the more you tend to like it, even if you weren’t initially interested. This effect occurs because repeated exposure increases familiarity, which often leads to feelings of comfort and trust. It is a common reason why brands or songs you hear often become more appealing over time. The effect highlights how repeated encounters can influence our preferences and attitudes subtly and automatically.