The mere exposure effect for stimuli presented below recognition threshold: a failure to replicate

Abstract

Repeated exposure to a stimulus increases one's affect toward that stimulus. This finding, termed the mere exposure effect, has been obtained even when the exposure durations are below the threshold of recognition. Reported are three experiments designed to assess whether the mere exposure effect for stimuli presented below the threshold of recognition could be obtained for meaningful stimuli. Analysis showed that meaningfulness of the stimuli had no effect on ratings of affect; however, we did not replicate previous findings of a mere exposure effect for stimuli that were not recognized. The robustness of the mere exposure effect for stimuli presented below the threshold of awareness was questioned.