Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the nature of the membranophobic effect -- a proposed phenomenon that governs self-assembly of inclusions within a lipid bilayer, inspired by the statistical mechanics of the hydrophobic effect. We study the nature of this effect on membrane inclusions of various chemistries and sizes. We identify the range of hydrophobic thicknesses over which this phenomenon occurs and characterize the effects of the proposed phenomenon on small inclusions such as cholesterol versus larger, multidomain transmembrane proteins. Our results show that this effect can provide a force for assembly and reorganization in a lipid bilayer based on the in-plane size and hydrophobic thickness of the inclusion, and the melting temperature of the surrounding lipids. We propose that this effect provides a physical framework that can explain lipid raft formation.