Final answer:
Encoding can be influenced by mere exposure to information, leading to easier recall due to familiarity. However, this is not always effective, as seen in semantic encoding where meaningful context is more important than mere exposure. The impact of popular culture also suggests that constant exposure alone isn’t enough to ensure encoding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Encoding is influenced by mere exposure in that the more we are exposed to a piece of information, the more likely we are to remember it. This concept is derived from the mere exposure effect which posits that people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them. In the context of encoding, mere exposure can mean that encountering a stimulus repeatedly can make it easier to encode and subsequently recall. However, there are instances where this may not work effectively.
A real-life example from the text that illustrates how mere exposure may not always aid in encoding can be found in the case of learning words and their meanings. Semantic encoding was shown to be more effective when words were memorized in meaningful categories. This is despite the participants being exposed to the words randomly without awareness of the categorical organization. The mere exposure to words, without the semantic context, did not necessarily enhance the encoding process.
Another example involves popular culture's influence on us. While we are exposed to various elements of popular culture constantly, this does not mean we always internalize or remember those elements. We might see a commercial many times and still forget the product being advertised if the content isn’t engaging or personally relevant. This indicates that though mere exposure can have an impact, it is not the sole determinant of successful encoding.