Experimental Studies in the Psychology of Music

Exposure effects on music preference and recognition

“…In line with almost a century of empirical observations (e.g., Meyer, 1903), the mere exposure effect, which refers to the increase in liking due to prior exposure, was found to be a reliable and robust phenomenon. Although it is a simple phenomenon to describe and to induce experimentally, it is less easy to explain.…”

“…The first to document this phenomenon was Meyer (1903), who presented to subjects a dozen repetitions of a piece of Oriental-like music (containing quarter-tone intervals instead of the semitone intervals to which Western listeners are accustomed) that he had composed. After the last repetition, most subjects declared "that the aesthetic effect is improved by hearing the music repeatedly" (p. 474).…”

“…Often, a single prior exposure with a particular musical selection will induce a positive reaction toward it. This phenomenon has been known for a long time by social psychologists (see Meyer, 1903, for the pioneering study). It may also account for the effectiveness of advertising jingles, as it may explain the appeal of some highly repetitive music.…”

Attitudinal effects of mere exposure.

“…240-243;James, 1890, p. 672;Maslow, 1937;Meyer, 1903;Pepper, 1919). The foremost proponent of this hypothesis, the advertising industry, has always attributed to exposure formidable advertising potential.…”

“…And direct evidence that attitudes are enhanced by mere exposure or mere contact with the stimulus object is scant. Moreover, it is the product of antiquated methods, and almost all of it concerns music appreciation (Downey & Knapp, 1927;Krugman, 1943;Meyer, 1903;Moore & Gilliland, 1924;Mull, 19S7;Verveer, Barry, & Bousfield, 1933;Washburn, Child, & Abel, 1927). The problem of attitudinal effects of social contact and interaction has also been of some interest in the study of interracial attitudes (Cook & Selltiz, 1952).…”