Final answer:
The mere exposure effect refers to an increased liking for stimuli due to regular exposure, explaining why familiarity can lead to preference for certain stimuli like music associated with positive experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mere exposure effect occurs when regular exposure to neutral or positive stimuli leads to an increased liking of the stimuli. This psychological phenomenon explains why repeated exposure to certain stimuli, such as words or pictures, can result in a preference for those stimuli over time.
An example of this would be hearing an ice cream truck's music frequently and beginning to develop a fondness for that sound because it is associated with the positive experience of eating ice cream. This effect can be attributed to increased familiarity and availability in memory, which can lead to increased preference, but it specifically refers to the liking rather than just familiarity or availability.