Exposure Effect

Exposure Effect: A Preference for the Familiar.

1. People (and animals) prefer the familiar
   
   
2. "average" face preferred over actual faces; the more average, the more preferred
   (Moreland & Zajonc, 1977, 1979)
   
   
3. repeated polygons and Japanese ideographs preferred, even when viewers are unaware of repetition
   (Moreland & Zajonc, 1977, 1979)
   
   
4. repeated tones preferred -- even when listeners are unaware of repetition
   (Moreland & Zajonc, 1977, 1979)
   
   
5. listeners prefer heard melodies to unheard melodies even when engaged in distractor task
   (Wilson, 1975, 1979)