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Summary

The 'mere exposure effect' causes people to develop more positive impressions of things the more they are exposed to them. This happens because familiarity breeds comfort, according to the 'uncertainty theory'. The effect also relates to 'cognitive fluency'; the easier it is for our brains to process something, the more we like it. This effect has implications in many areas of modern life and social media, where we passively consume high volumes of content. While exposure can normalize negative ideas, it can also help counter things like racism. We must be careful curators of what we allow ourselves to be frequently exposed to.

Takeaways

• 😀 The mere exposure effect is a cognitive bias where people react more positively to things the more they are exposed to them.
• 😮 Frequent exposure to something familiar makes us feel safer and more comfortable compared to new unfamiliar things.
• 🤔 The mere exposure effect happens unconsciously - even if we don't remember the exposures.
• 😟 Frequent exposure to violent content can decrease brain activity in areas that control self-regulation and increase aggression.
• 😀 Positive mere exposure can condition us to do productive and delightful things through environmental cues.
• 🤨 Social media platforms leverage the mere exposure effect by showing us more of what we click on.
• 😥 Negative mere exposure on social media can shape our values through unconscious conditioning.
• 😊 Studies show that frequent exposure to other races reduces racism by creating positive impressions.
• 💡 Institutions can harness mere exposure to shape social patterns and conventions.
• 🙏 We must be conscious of what we allow ourselves to be frequently exposed to - it shapes who we become.

Q & A

What is the mere exposure effect?

The mere exposure effect is a cognitive bias where people react more positively to things the more they are exposed to them.

Why does the mere exposure effect happen?

The mere exposure effect happens because we feel safer and more comfortable with things we are familiar with compared to new things that could potentially pose a threat.

How does cognitive fluency theory explain the mere exposure effect?

Cognitive fluency theory states that when we are frequently exposed to something, we can more easily understand and interpret it. This feeling of understanding leads to a positive mood and liking of that thing.

How did the teachers at the school encourage students to speak English?

The teachers imposed fines if students used Arabic words while speaking English, which conditioned the students to speak English only over time as they wanted to avoid accumulating fines.

How can negative mere exposure impact people?

Studies show that frequent exposure to violent content can decrease activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for self-control. This can lead to an increase in violent tendencies.

How can positive mere exposure be used to improve daily life?

We can enhance our daily environment with ideas, concepts and things that help improve our lives, exposing ourselves and those around us to constructive messages.

How did exposing participants to words related to old age impact their behavior?

Participants exposed to old age words walked slower after the experiment, demonstrating that mere exposure had clearly impacted their actual behavior.

How can reducing exposure to minority groups lead to racism?

Studies show that increasing exposure to minority group pictures leads to more positive impressions. Lack of exposure in media contributes to existing racism in societies.

What can institutions do to utilize mere exposure theory?

Governments and organizations can expose the public to constructive ideas and behaviors through campaigns to positively impact social patterns.

How can we counteract negative effects of mere exposure?

We should regularly revise our social media feeds and the accounts we follow to limit negative exposure and maintain positivity.