Lempissonnement

Lempissonnement is a term that describes the process of subtly and gradually influencing someone's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors through repeated, often indirect, exposure to certain ideas or suggestions. It is distinct from overt persuasion or manipulation, as it typically operates below the level of conscious awareness. This can occur through various channels, including media, social interactions, or even the framing of information.

The core mechanism of lempissonnement relies on the principle of repetition and familiarity. When an idea or a particular viewpoint is encountered multiple times, even if it is not explicitly endorsed or argued for, it can begin to feel more natural, acceptable, or even true. This gradual normalization can lead to a shift in an individual's perspective without them necessarily realizing they have been influenced.

While the term itself is not widely recognized in academic literature, the underlying concept is explored in fields such as psychology, sociology, and communication studies. Researchers have investigated phenomena like priming, mere-exposure effect, and agenda-setting, which share similarities with the process of lempissonnement. Understanding this subtle form of influence is important for critically evaluating information and recognizing how our own views might be shaped by our environment.