Digital Commons Network^™

Favorability As A Function Of Exposure, Race, And Initial Affective Rating, Kenneth W. Nikels

Student Work

Zajonc (1968) proposed that repeated exposure to a stimulus is a sufficient condition for the enhancement of an attitude toward it. The "mere exposure" hypothesis is of such generality that it has many far-reaching implications, one of which is the consequences of biracial experiences. Integration of schools, housing, and employment all seem to be partially based upon Zajonc's hypothesis, as are Black Studies courses and Black media exposure. The underlying assumption of each of these examples is, in part, that biracial exposure will produce more favorable racial attitudes.