Author presents meta-analysis of the studies of mere exposure effect published in the 20 years following R. B. Zajonc’s seminal monograph. The review describes the findings on how various variables influence the magnitude of the exposure effect on the exposure–affect relationship. Among those variables are stimulus complexity, stimulus type, exposure duration, presentation sequence, stimulus recognition, delay between exposure and ratings, maximum number of stimulus presentations, and age of participants.
This review chapter (Bornstein, 1993, Mere exposure effects with outgroup stimuli) presents research which showed that the repeated, unreinforced exposure to members of an outgroup can enhance individual attitudes toward that outgroup. The reported results of studies on exposure effects with outgroup stimuli suggested that mere exposure effects can be used for reduction of stereotype and prejudice.