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12 - Exposure Effects
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- By R. B. Zajonc, Stanford University
- Edited by Antony S. R. Manstead, University of Cambridge, Nico Frijda, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Agneta Fischer, Universiteit van Amsterdam
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- Book:
- Feelings and Emotions
- Published online:
- 05 June 2012
- Print publication:
- 05 April 2004, pp 194-203
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
ABSTRACT
The mere repeated exposure paradigm involves repeated exposures of a particular stimulus object and observes the emerging preference for that object. Vast literature on the mere repeated exposure effect shows it to be a robust phenomenon that cannot be explained by an appeal to recognition memory or perceptual fluency. These effects are valid across cultures, species, and diverse stimulus domains. They have been obtained even when the stimuli exposed were not accessible to the participants' awareness, and even prenatally. Empirical research shows that a benign repetition experience can in and of itself enhance positive affect, and that such affect can become attached not only to exposed stimuli but to similar previously not exposed stimuli, and to stimuli totally distinct as well. A new explanation of the phenomenon is offered. Implications for affect as a fundamental and independent process are discussed in the light of neuroanatomical evidence.
The cognitive revolution of the past four decades has exerted an enormous influence not only on what we investigate but how we do it. In particular, cognitive processes came to be regarded as the major mediators of most significant psychological phenomena. For example, emotional reactions must be mediated by cognitive appraisal (Lazarus, 1982); social phobias are mediated by perceived self-efficacy; and aggression instigated by frustration is mediated by perceived provocation. A related concept is “implicit,” a term that connotes an intervening process, but one of which the participant is not aware.