mere exposure effect

Ever noticed how something you didn’t like at first starts to grow on you just because you see it more often?

Maybe a food you avoided at first but now love, or a TV show you rolled your eyes at but now watch every week.

That’s the Mere Exposure Effect.

It’s a powerful idea from psychology: the more we’re exposed to something, the more we tend to like it.

This happens in so many parts of life. Sometimes a coworker or classmate isn’t someone you click with immediately. But after enough shared lunches, small talk, or working together on projects, you start to appreciate them—not because they changed, but because you got used to their personality. Familiarity builds connection.

Safe to say, that same principle applies to the kind of company you keep.

The right people can gently shape your habits and mindset, helping you get used to healthier choices and a more positive outlook on life—without you even realizing it. That’s why so many close friends end up sharing the same routines, values, and even ways of thinking.

Of course, the opposite is true too. Surround yourself with the wrong crowd, and you’ll find yourself getting comfortable with unhealthy habits, toxic attitudes, or useless distractions. The more you’re around them, the more “normal” those things start to feel.

That’s the danger: bad things don’t always show up as obviously bad. They creep in slowly. The jokes that felt off at first stop bothering you. The things you once swore you’d never do start to seem... harmless. Exposure softens you, and soon, what once felt wrong becomes routine.

That’s probably why Islam prioritizes good company as well. Allah SWT and the Prophet PBUH encouraged us to spend time with people who are kind, honest, and mindful. Their habits rub off on you. Their peace becomes contagious. Even if you don’t realize it at first.

(Of course, this isn’t a judgment on blacksmiths—it’s simply a metaphor the Prophet PBUH used to show how our environment and company can leave lasting effects on us.)

Simply put, you don’t always notice the change while it’s happening. But who you spend time with quietly shapes what you get used to… and who you become.

So choose wisely. InshaAllah. 💚