Keywords

Familiarity; Enjoyment; Mere Exposure Effect; Source Memory; Music; Technology

Abstract

The Mere Exposure Effect (MEE) refers to a psychological pattern in which a person develops preference for a stimulus that has been repeatedly presented to them. The present study examined environmental influences of preference through repeated exposure to music. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Reels, and Shorts influence where people listen to music. The fast-paced consumption algorithm for new media is provided by quick, entertaining videos that allow users to scroll past content that does not keep their attention. A total of 406 participants (n=406) were involved in this study. The purpose for this study was to identify how different technological contexts (i.e., platforms or media through which music could be consumed) moderate the relationship between music enjoyment and music familiarity. This study examined how listening patterns relate to enjoyment levels through concepts relating to music cognition. Technological advancements have made music readily accessible to streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. Participants completed an online, self-paced Qualtrics survey accessed through their SONA portal using a personal device, which includes pre-task demographic questions, screentime questions, and six musical listening tasks. After all listening tasks, participants received a debriefing form. The results revealed that different technological contexts do affect the relationship between familiarity and enjoyment. The strength of the MEE differed in each technological context that was evaluated, having the strongest influence on participants who reported owning physical music (i.e., vinyl, CD). Implications of this research apply to many fields and settings including marketing design, consumer interaction and education.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Szalma, James

College

College of Sciences

Thesis Discipline

Psychology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright