Mere Exposure Effects in the Real World: Utilizing Natural Experiment Features from the Eurovision Song Contest

Abstract

The mere exposure effect (MEE) has been demonstrated mainly in the laboratory. One real-world area where MEEs have been reported concerns the Eurovision Song Contest. However, the two relevant previous studies had limitations. This research is critically reviewed, and two new studies are reported that address these limitations. First, additional data are presented that rule out potential confounds of the first previous investigation. Second, limitations of the second previous investigation (suboptimal analyses, alternative explanation) are addressed with alternative and additional analyses and with new data. Overall, previous and new findings are integrated into evidence for MEEs in the real world. © 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis.