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Di Cicco F, Evans RL, James AG, Weddell I, Chopra A, Smeets MAM. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting axillary odor variation. A comprehensive review. Physiol Behav 2023; 270:114307. [PMID: 37516230 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Humans produce odorous secretions from multiple body sites according to the microbiomic profile of each area and the types of secretory glands present. Because the axilla is an active, odor-producing region that mediates social communication via the sense of smell, this article focuses on the biological mechanisms underlying the creation of axillary odor, as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic factors likely to impact the odor and determine individual differences. The list of intrinsic factors discussed includes sex, age, ethnicity, emotions, and personality, and extrinsic factors include dietary choices, diseases, climate, and hygienic habits. In addition, we also draw attention to gaps in our understanding of each factor, including, for example, topical areas such as the effect of climate on body odor variation. Fundamental challenges and emerging research opportunities are further outlined in the discussion. Finally, we suggest guidelines and best practices based on the factors reviewed herein for preparatory protocols of sweat collection, data analysis, and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Cicco
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, CS 3584, the Netherlands.
| | - Richard L Evans
- Unilever Research & Development, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, UK
| | - A Gordon James
- Unilever Research & Development, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, UK
| | - Iain Weddell
- Unilever Research & Development, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, UK
| | - Anita Chopra
- Unilever Research & Development, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, UK
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, CS 3584, the Netherlands; Unilever Research & Development, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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2
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Miano A, Lustig S, Meyerding L, Barnow S. Accuracy and Bias in Facial Trustworthiness Appraisals in Borderline Personality Disorder. J Pers Disord 2023; 37:525-541. [PMID: 37903022 DOI: 10.1521/pedi.2023.37.5.525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have shown a negativity bias, whereas the general population has shown a positivity bias in their trustworthiness appraisal of others. We tested if individuals with BPD are more negative but also more realistic with their appraisals. Trustworthiness was objectified on an external criterion. The influence of childhood trauma was investigated. Facial photographs of peace prize laureates and sentenced murderers were presented. Participants with BPD and healthy controls (HC) rated the trustworthiness of the targets. Bias and sensitivity were measured using signal detection theory. The BPD group was more negatively biased compared to HC, but not more sensitive in discriminating between the two groups. When correcting for experienced childhood abuse and neglect, the authors found that group differences in bias disappeared. Individuals with BPD might not be more sensitive in discriminating between, on average, more or less trustworthy targets, but they have developed a negativity bias to ensure the detection of untrustworthiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Miano
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sophia Lustig
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luca Meyerding
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven Barnow
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
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3
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Neurons, Nose, and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Olfactory Function and Cognitive Impairment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032117. [PMID: 36768440 PMCID: PMC9916823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory capacity declines with aging, but increasing evidence shows that smell dysfunction is one of the early signs of prodromal neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The study of olfactory ability and its role in neurodegenerative diseases arouses much interest in the scientific community. In neurology, olfactory impairment is a potential early marker for the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The loss of smell is considered a clinical sign of early-stage disease and a marker of the disease's progression and cognitive impairment. Highlighting the importance of biological bases of smell and molecular pathways could be fundamental to improve neuroprotective and therapeutic strategies. We focused on the review articles and meta-analyses on olfactory and cognitive impairment. We depicted the neurobiology of olfaction and the most common olfactory tests in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we underlined the close relationship between the olfactory and cognitive deficit due to nasal neuroepithelium, which is a direct extension of the CNS in communication with the external environment. Neurons, Nose, and Neurodegenerative diseases highlights the role of olfactory dysfunction as a clinical marker for early stages of neurodegenerative diseases when it is associated with molecular, clinical, and neuropathological correlations.
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How priming with body odors affects decision speeds in consumer behavior. Sci Rep 2023; 13:609. [PMID: 36635353 PMCID: PMC9834684 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27643-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, odor research has primarily focused on the behavioral effects of common odors on consumer perception and choices. We report a study that examines, for the first time, the effects of human body odor cues on consumer purchase behaviors. The influence of human chemosignals produced in three conditions, namely happiness, fear, a relaxed condition (rest), and a control condition (no odor), were examined on willingness to pay (WTP) judgments across various products. We focused on the speed with which participants reached such decisions. The central finding revealed that participants exposed to human odors reached decisions significantly faster than the no odor control group. The main driving force is that human body odors activate the presence of others during decision-making. This, in turn, affects response speed. The broader implications of this finding for consumer behavior are discussed.
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Roberts SC, Třebická Fialová J, Sorokowska A, Langford B, Sorokowski P, Třebický V, Havlíček J. Emotional expression in human odour. EVOLUTIONARY HUMAN SCIENCES 2022; 4:e44. [PMID: 37588919 PMCID: PMC10426192 DOI: 10.1017/ehs.2022.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent work has demonstrated that human body odour alters with changing emotional state and that emotionally laden odours can affect the physiology and behaviour of people exposed to them. Here we review these discoveries, which we believe add to a growing recognition that the human sense of smell and its potential role in social interactions have been underappreciated. However, we also critically evaluate the current evidence, with a particular focus on methodology and the interpretation of emotional odour studies. We argue that while the evidence convincingly indicates that humans retain a capacity for olfactory communication of emotion, the extent to which this occurs in ordinary social interaction remains an open question. Future studies should place fewer restrictions on participant selection and lifestyle and adopt more realistic experimental designs. We also need to devote more consideration to underlying mechanisms and to recognise the constraints that these may place on effective communication. Finally, we outline some promising approaches to address these issues, and raise some broader theoretical questions that such approaches may help us to answer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ben Langford
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik, UK
| | | | - Vít Třebický
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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6
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Canine Smell Preferences—Do Dogs Have Their Favorite Scents? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121488. [PMID: 35739826 PMCID: PMC9219509 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There are many products that are targeted to pet owners. One category of these products is dog repellents—strongly aromatized solutions designed to stop dogs from approaching and investigating particular areas; the second are cosmetics which should be pleasant for dogs. Dogs have a particularly sensitive sense of smell; therefore, strong scents may be very intense, and not always pleasant, stimuli. It is truly interesting, then, that canine cosmetic products often have very strong fragrances designed mostly to appeal to the dog owners, rather than to the dogs themselves. Indeed, the scents that dogs choose to put on their fur differ strongly from those of common cosmetics. Dogs choose mostly intense, animal-derived smells, such as feces or carcasses, so there is a need to differentiate between canine and human smell preferences. As there is limited scientific data related to canine smell preferences, the purpose of this study was to verify dogs’ reactions to selected scents, which can also be appealing to humans. Our study shows that dogs were more likely to interact with the scents of blueberry, blackberry, mint, rose, lavender, and linalol. Abstract The available evidence on dogs’ scent preferences is quite limited. The purpose of this study was to verify the canine response to selected odors that may also be preferred by humans. The experiment was performed using 14 adult dogs (10 female and 4 male) of different breeds, body size, and age (1–14 years). During the experiment, dogs were exposed to 33 odor samples: a neutral sample containing pure dipropylene glycol (control) and 32 samples containing dipropylene glycol and fragrance oils. The dog was brought to the experimental area by its handler, who then stopped at the entrance, unleashed the dog, and remained in the starting position. The dog freely explored the area for 30 s. All dog movements and behavior were recorded and analyzed. The methodology of observing the dogs freely exploring the experimental area allowed us to determine the smells that were the most attractive to them (food, beaver clothing). Our study shows that dogs interacted more frequently with the scents of blueberries, blackberries, mint, rose, lavender, and linalol.
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Davis AC, Arnocky S. Response to Commentaries: A Socioevolutionary Approach to Self-Presentation Modification. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:85-100. [PMID: 34713430 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02170-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam C Davis
- Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Arnocky
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, ON, P1B 8L7, Canada.
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Croijmans I, Beetsma D, Aarts H, Gortemaker I, Smeets M. The role of fragrance and self-esteem in perception of body odors and impressions of others. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258773. [PMID: 34780484 PMCID: PMC8592444 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human sweat odor serves as social communication signal for a person’s traits and emotional states. This study explored whether body odors can also communicate information about one’s self-esteem, and the role of applied fragrance in this relationship. Female participants were asked to rate self-esteem and attractiveness of different male contestants of a dating show, while being exposed to male participant’s body odors differing in self-esteem. High self-esteem sweat was rated more pleasant and less intense than low self-esteem sweat. However, there was no difference in perceived self-esteem and attractiveness of male contestants in videos, hence explicit differences in body odor did not transfer to judgments of related person characteristics. When the body odor was fragranced using a fragranced body spray, male contestants were rated as having higher self-esteem and being more attractive. The finding that body odors from male participants differing in self-esteem are rated differently and can be discriminated suggests self-esteem has distinct perceivable olfactory features, but the remaining findings imply that only fragrance affect the psychological impression someone makes. These findings are discussed in the context of the role of body odor and fragrance in human perception and social communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilja Croijmans
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel Beetsma
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Aarts
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse Gortemaker
- UNILEVER R&D Beauty & Personal Care Science & Technology, Consumer Science, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Smeets
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- UNILEVER R&D Beauty & Personal Care Science & Technology, Consumer Science, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Oleszkiewicz A, Idziak P, Rokosz M. The Importance of Intact Senses in Mating and Social Assessments Made by Deaf Individuals. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:3799-3808. [PMID: 34637046 PMCID: PMC8604834 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02016-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Social perception is a multimodal process involving vision and audition as central input sources for human social cognitive processes. However, it remains unclear how profoundly deaf people assess others in the context of mating and social interaction. The current study explored the relative importance of different sensory modalities (vision, smell, and touch) in assessments of opposite- and same-sex strangers. We focused on potential sensory compensation processes in mate selection (i.e., increased importance of the intact senses in forming impressions of an opposite-sex stranger as a potential partner). A total of 74 deaf individuals and 100 normally hearing controls were included in the study sample. We found diminished importance of vision and smell in deaf participants compared with controls for opposite- and same-sex strangers, and increased importance of touch for the assessment of same-sex strangers. The results suggested that deaf people rely less on visual and olfactory cues in mating and social assessments, highlighting a possible role of sign language in shaping interpersonal tactile experience in non-romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Oleszkiewicz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527, Wrocław, Poland.
- Taste and Smell Clinic, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Paulina Idziak
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marta Rokosz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527, Wrocław, Poland
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11
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Damon F, Mezrai N, Magnier L, Leleu A, Durand K, Schaal B. Olfaction in the Multisensory Processing of Faces: A Narrative Review of the Influence of Human Body Odors. Front Psychol 2021; 12:750944. [PMID: 34675855 PMCID: PMC8523678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent body of research has emerged regarding the interactions between olfaction and other sensory channels to process social information. The current review examines the influence of body odors on face perception, a core component of human social cognition. First, we review studies reporting how body odors interact with the perception of invariant facial information (i.e., identity, sex, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and dominance). Although we mainly focus on the influence of body odors based on axillary odor, we also review findings about specific steroids present in axillary sweat (i.e., androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone, and estratetraenol). We next survey the literature showing body odor influences on the perception of transient face properties, notably in discussing the role of body odors in facilitating or hindering the perception of emotional facial expression, in relation to competing frameworks of emotions. Finally, we discuss the developmental origins of these olfaction-to-vision influences, as an emerging literature indicates that odor cues strongly influence face perception in infants. Body odors with a high social relevance such as the odor emanating from the mother have a widespread influence on various aspects of face perception in infancy, including categorization of faces among other objects, face scanning behavior, or facial expression perception. We conclude by suggesting that the weight of olfaction might be especially strong in infancy, shaping social perception, especially in slow-maturing senses such as vision, and that this early tutoring function of olfaction spans all developmental stages to disambiguate a complex social environment by conveying key information for social interactions until adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Damon
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Inrae, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS (UMR 6265), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
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12
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Schwambergová D, Sorokowska A, Slámová Ž, Třebická Fialová J, Sabiniewicz A, Nowak-Kornicka J, Borkowska B, Pawłowski B, Havlíček J. No evidence for association between human body odor quality and immune system functioning. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 132:105363. [PMID: 34343779 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that women perceive male faces with a more reactive immune system as more attractive, but whether body odor might likewise provide cues to immune function has not been investigated yet. These two studies tested a possible relationship between body odor quality and immunoreactivity (Study 1) and immune system function (Study 2). In Study 1, we collected body odor samples from 21 men just before and two weeks after vaccination against hepatitis A/B and meningococcus. We determined the levels of specific antibodies (selected as markers of immune system's reactivity), testosterone, and cortisol. Subsequently, 88 female raters assessed the odor samples for their attractiveness, intensity, and healthiness. In Study 2, we collected body odor and blood samples from 35 men and women. We assessed key parameters of their innate and adaptive immunity, such as complement activity or total lymphocyte T and B counts and asked 95 raters to assess the odor samples for their attractiveness, intensity, and healthiness. In Study 1, we found no significant association between antibody levels induced by vaccination and perceived body odor attractiveness, intensity, and healthiness. We also found no significant relationship between antibody levels and steroid hormones (testosterone and cortisol). In Study 2, we likewise found no association between basal key parameters (innate and adaptive) of the immune system and body odor quality. Our results indicate that body odor may not serve as a cue to the reactivity of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Schwambergová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Agnieszka Sorokowska
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Žaneta Slámová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Třebická Fialová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Agnieszka Sabiniewicz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wroclaw, Poland; Smell and Taste Clinic, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Judyta Nowak-Kornicka
- Department of Human Biology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Borkowska
- Department of Human Biology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Bogusław Pawłowski
- Department of Human Biology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
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13
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Blomkvist A, Hofer M. Olfactory impairment and close social relationships. A narrative review. Chem Senses 2021; 46:6342176. [PMID: 34351415 PMCID: PMC8385889 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjab037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory impairment is one of the more unique symptoms of COVID-19 infection and has therefore enjoyed increased public attention in recent months. Olfactory impairment has various implications and consequences ranging from difficulty detecting dangerous pathogens to hindering social functioning and social behaviors. We provide an overview of how olfactory impairment can impact 3 types of close social relationships: family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships. Evidence is divided into several categories representing potential mechanisms by which olfactory impairment can impact close social relationships: bonding disruptions, decreased social support, missed group-eating experiences, hygiene concerns, and altered sexual behaviors. We conclude with a discussion of emerging future research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marlise Hofer
- University of Victoria, Department of Psychology.,University of British Columbia, Department of Psychology
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Sorokowska A, Janczak A, Ferdenzi C, Baldovini N, Oleszkiewicz A. Blindness, But Not HMHA Anosmia, Predicts Loneliness: A Psychophysical Study. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2021; 48:1167-1176. [PMID: 34323148 DOI: 10.1177/01461672211034376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory deficits can play a detrimental role in everyday social functioning. Perception of 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA)-a body odor component-could also be linked to this research area. However, no study so far has addressed the problem of HMHA perception in the context of the previously reported relationship between olfactory abilities and social difficulties. Here, we tested whether HMHA-specific anosmia predicted loneliness understood both as a cognitive evaluation of social participation and as one's social isolation, and we additionally analyzed the effects and correlates of HMHA perception in relation to sightedness. The study comprised 196 people, of whom 99 were blind. We found that subjects with blindness declared particularly high loneliness, but HMHA anosmia and the interaction of sightedness and HMHA anosmia predicted neither loneliness nor social withdrawal. In addition, HMHA pleasantness was positively associated with social withdrawal of the subjects with blindness and emotional loneliness correlated with HMHA familiarity regardless of sightedness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Janczak
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR5292 - Inserm U1028 - Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | | | - Anna Oleszkiewicz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Poland.,Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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15
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Spence C. The scent of attraction and the smell of success: crossmodal influences on person perception. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2021; 6:46. [PMID: 34173932 PMCID: PMC8233629 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-021-00311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been an explosion of research into the crossmodal influence of olfactory cues on multisensory person perception. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have documented that a variety of olfactory stimuli, from ambient malodours through to fine fragrances, and even a range of chemosensory body odours can influence everything from a perceiver's judgments of another person's attractiveness, age, affect, health/disease status, and even elements of their personality. The crossmodal and multisensory contributions to such effects are reviewed and the limitations/peculiarities of the research that have been published to date are highlighted. At the same time, however, it is important to note that the presence of scent (and/or the absence of malodour) can also influence people's (i.e., a perceiver's) self-confidence which may, in turn, affect how attractive they appear to others. Several potential cognitive mechanisms have been put forward to try and explain such crossmodal/multisensory influences, and some of the neural substrates underpinning these effects have now been characterized. At the end of this narrative review, a number of the potential (and actual) applications for, and implications of, such crossmodal/multisensory phenomena involving olfaction are outlined briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Spence
- Crossmodal Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Oxford, OX2 6BW, UK.
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16
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Kim MJ, Tagele SB, Jo H, Kim MC, Jung Y, Park YJ, So JH, Kim HJ, Kim HJ, Lee DG, Kang S, Shin JH. Effect of a bioconverted product of Lotus corniculatus seed on the axillary microbiome and body odor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10138. [PMID: 33980951 PMCID: PMC8115508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89606-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The skin microbiome, especially the axillary microbiome, consists of odor-causing bacteria that decompose odorless sweat into malodor compounds, which contributes to the formation of body odor. Plant-derived products are a cheap source of bioactive compounds that are common ingredients in cosmetics. Microbial bioconversion of natural products is an ecofriendly and economical method for production of new or improved biologically active compounds. Therefore, in this study, we tested the potential of a Lactobacillus acidophilus KNU-02-mediated bioconverted product (BLC) of Lotus corniculatus seed to reduce axillary malodor and its effect on the associated axillary microbiota. A chemical profile analysis revealed that benzoic acid was the most abundant chemical compound in BLC, which increased following bioconversion. Moreover, BLC treatment was found to reduce the intensity of axillary malodor. We tested the axillary microbiome of 18 study participants, divided equally into BLC and placebo groups, and revealed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing that Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Anaerococcus were the dominant taxa, and some of these taxa were significantly associated with axillary malodor. After one week of BLC treatment, the abundance of Corynebacterium and Anaerococcus, which are associated with well-known odor-related genes that produce volatile fatty acids, had significantly reduced. Likewise, the identified odor-related genes decreased after the application of BLC. BLC treatment enhanced the richness and network density of the axillary microbial community. The placebo group, on the other hand, showed no difference in the microbial richness, odor associated taxa, and predicted functional genes after a week. The results demonstrated that BLC has the potential to reduce the axillary malodor and the associated odor-causing bacteria, which makes BLC a viable deodorant material in cosmetic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ji Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Setu Bazie Tagele
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - HyungWoo Jo
- R&I Center, COSMAX BTI, Seongnam, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Chul Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - YeonGyun Jung
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong-Jun Park
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jai-Hyun So
- National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, 94, Hwarang-ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38540, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jin Kim
- Experiment Research Institute, National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- Experiment Research Institute, National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Geol Lee
- R&I Center, COSMAX BTI, Seongnam, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyun Kang
- R&I Center, COSMAX BTI, Seongnam, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Shin
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Boesveldt S, Parma V. The importance of the olfactory system in human well-being, through nutrition and social behavior. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:559-567. [PMID: 33433688 PMCID: PMC7802608 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03367-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The human sense of smell is still much underappreciated, despite its importance for vital functions such as warning and protection from environmental hazards, eating behavior and nutrition, and social communication. We here approach olfaction as a sense of well-being and review the available literature on how the sense of smell contributes to building and maintaining well-being through supporting nutrition and social relationships. Humans seem to be able to extract nutritional information from olfactory food cues, which can trigger specific appetite and direct food choice, but may not always impact actual intake behavior. Beyond food enjoyment, as part of quality of life, smell has the ability to transfer and regulate emotional conditions, and thus impacts social relationships, at various stages across life (e.g., prenatal and postnatal, during puberty, for partner selection and in sickness). A better understanding of how olfactory information is processed and employed for these functions so vital for well-being may be used to reduce potential negative consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Boesveldt
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Valentina Parma
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, PA, 19122, Philadelphia, USA.
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St., PA, Philadelphia, 19104, USA.
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18
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Fialová J, Třebický V, Kuba R, Stella D, Binter J, Havlíček J. Losing stinks! The effect of competition outcome on body odour quality. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190267. [PMID: 32306874 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominance hierarchy is often established via repeated agonistic encounters where consistent winners are considered dominant. Human body odour contains cues to psychological dominance and competition, but it is not known whether competition outcome (a marker of a change in dominance hierarchy) affects the hedonic quality of human axillary odour. Therefore, we investigated the effect of winning and losing on odour quality. We collected odour samples from Mixed Martial Arts fighters approximately 1 h before and immediately after a match. Raters then assessed samples for pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity and intensity. We also obtained data on donors' affective state and cortisol and testosterone levels, since these are known to be associated with competition and body odour quality. Perceived body odour pleasantness, attractiveness and intensity significantly decreased while masculinity increased after a match irrespective of the outcome. Nonetheless, losing a match affected the pleasantness of body odour more profoundly, though bordering formal level of significance. Moreover, a path analysis revealed that match loss led to a decrease in odour attractiveness, which was mediated by participants' negative affective states. Our study suggests that physical competition and to some extent also its outcome affect the perceived quality of human body odour in specific real-life settings, thus providing cues to dominance-related characteristics. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Fialová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 43, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Třebický
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, Prague 162 52, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kuba
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 43, Czech Republic
| | - David Stella
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 43, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Binter
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 43, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 128 43, Czech Republic.,National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany 250 67, Czech Republic
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19
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Ferdenzi C, Richard Ortegón S, Delplanque S, Baldovini N, Bensafi M. Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190268. [PMID: 32306873 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Stéphane Richard Ortegón
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Sylvain Delplanque
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Baldovini
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, F-06108 Nice, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
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20
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Sorokowska A, Groyecka A, Karwowski M, Frackowiak T, Lansford JE, Ahmadi K, Alghraibeh AM, Aryeetey R, Bertoni A, Bettache K, Blumen S, Blazejewska M, Bortolini T, Butovskaya M, Cantarero K, Castro FN, Cetinkaya H, Chang L, Chen BB, Cunha D, David D, David OA, Dileym FA, Domínguez Espinosa ADC, Donato S, Dronova D, Dural S, Fialová J, Fisher M, Gulbetekin E, Hamamcioglu Akkaya A, Hilpert P, Hromatko I, Iafrate R, Iesyp M, James B, Jaranovic J, Jiang F, Kimamo CO, Kjelvik G, Koç F, Laar A, Lopes FDA, Macbeth G, Marcano NM, Martinez R, Mesko N, Molodovskaya N, Moradi Qezeli K, Motahari Z, Mühlhauser A, Natividade JC, Ntayi J, Oberzaucher E, Ojedokun O, Omar-Fauzee MSB, Onyishi IE, Paluszak A, Pierce JD, Pillay U, Portugal A, Razumiejczyk E, Realo A, Relvas AP, Rivas M, Rizwan M, Salkicevic S, Sarmány-Schuller I, Schmehl S, Senyk O, Sinding C, Sorbring E, Stamkou E, Stoyanova S, Šukolová D, Sutresna N, Tadinac M, Tapanya S, Teras A, Tinoco Ponciano EL, Tripathi R, Tripathi N, Tripathi M, Uhryn O, Yamamoto ME, Yoo G, Sorokowski P. Global Study of Social Odor Awareness. Chem Senses 2019; 43:503-513. [PMID: 29955865 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjy038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfaction plays an important role in human social communication, including multiple domains in which people often rely on their sense of smell in the social context. The importance of the sense of smell and its role can however vary inter-individually and culturally. Despite the growing body of literature on differences in olfactory performance or hedonic preferences across the globe, the aspects of a given culture as well as culturally universal individual differences affecting odor awareness in human social life remain unknown. Here, we conducted a large-scale analysis of data collected from 10 794 participants from 52 study sites from 44 countries all over the world. The aim of our research was to explore the potential individual and country-level correlates of odor awareness in the social context. The results show that the individual characteristics were more strongly related than country-level factors to self-reported odor awareness in different social contexts. A model including individual-level predictors (gender, age, material situation, education, and preferred social distance) provided a relatively good fit to the data, but adding country-level predictors (Human Development Index, population density, and average temperature) did not improve model parameters. Although there were some cross-cultural differences in social odor awareness, the main differentiating role was played by the individual differences. This suggests that people living in different cultures and different climate conditions may still share some similar patterns of odor awareness if they share other individual-level characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Groyecka
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Khodabakhsh Ahmadi
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad M Alghraibeh
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Anna Bertoni
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Karim Bettache
- Department of Psychology, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Sheyla Blumen
- Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Tiago Bortolini
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marina Butovskaya
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,National Research University, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Katarzyna Cantarero
- Faculty in Sopot, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sopot, Poland
| | - Felipe Nalon Castro
- Laboratory of Evolution of Human Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal City, Brazil
| | | | - Lei Chang
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Bin-Bin Chen
- Department of Psychology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Diana Cunha
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel David
- International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Oana A David
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Fahd A Dileym
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Silvia Donato
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Dronova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Seda Dural
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Jitka Fialová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maryanne Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Canada
| | | | | | - Peter Hilpert
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
| | - Ivana Hromatko
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Raffaella Iafrate
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariana Iesyp
- Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Bawo James
- Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin-City, Nigeria
| | | | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Organization and Human Resources Management, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | | | - Grete Kjelvik
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences (MH), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Firat Koç
- Faculty of Literature, Department of Anthropology, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Amos Laar
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Fívia de Araújo Lopes
- Laboratory of Evolution of Human Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal City, Brazil
| | - Guillermo Macbeth
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, National University of Entre Rios, Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina
| | | | - Rocio Martinez
- Department of Social Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Norbert Mesko
- Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | | | | | | | | | - Jean Carlos Natividade
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joseph Ntayi
- Faculty of Computing and Management Science, Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Oluyinka Ojedokun
- Department of Pure and Applied Psychology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | | | - Ike E Onyishi
- Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Anna Paluszak
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - John D Pierce
- College of Science, Health, and the Liberal Arts, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Alda Portugal
- Department of Psychology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Centre for Social Studies, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira
| | - Eugenia Razumiejczyk
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, National University of Entre Rios, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Anu Realo
- Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Ana Paula Relvas
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Rivas
- Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Svjetlana Salkicevic
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Sarmány-Schuller
- Center of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Susanne Schmehl
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oksana Senyk
- Department of Psychology, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Charlotte Sinding
- INRA, Centre des Sciences du Gout et de l'Alimentation - CSGA, Dijon, France
| | - Emma Sorbring
- Centre for Child and Youth Studies, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Eftychia Stamkou
- Departament of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stanislava Stoyanova
- Department of Psychology, South-West University "Neofit Rilski", Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
| | - Denisa Šukolová
- Educational Research Centre, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Nina Sutresna
- Jurusan Pendidikan Kepelatihan, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Meri Tadinac
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sombat Tapanya
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | | | - Ritu Tripathi
- Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Bangalore, India
| | - Nachiketa Tripathi
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, India
| | - Mamta Tripathi
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology, School of Management, Chennai, India
| | - Olja Uhryn
- Faculty of Psychology, Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Maria Emília Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Evolution of Human Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal City, Brazil
| | - Gyesook Yoo
- Department of Child and Family Studies, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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21
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Quintana P, Nolet K, Baus O, Bouchard S. The Effect of Exposure to Fear-Related Body Odorants on Anxiety and Interpersonal Trust Toward a Virtual Character. Chem Senses 2019; 44:683-692. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjz063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A growing body of literature documents how exposure to another person's fear-related body odorants can increase one's own anxiety and interfere with processing of social information, such as facial expression and impression formation. Building on these results, we aimed to 1) test the hypothesis that exposure to fear-related odorant would affect impression formation through fear contagion and 2) verify whether these effects can be observed in an ecologically valid (i.e., virtual) environment. We proposed that exposure to fear-related odorant would cause receivers to feel more anxious, which in turn would lead them to report less trust toward an unknown virtual character. This study had 2 distinct phases. First, we collected perspiration odorants from the armpits of 12 male senders (i.e., the source of the odorant) during the viewing of either fear or joy inducing film clips. In the second phase, 53 women receivers were exposed to either a fear, joy, or neutral odorant (i.e., between-subjects design) by breathing through a gauze attached to a disposable respirator mask while immersed in a virtual bar. As expected, receivers exposed to fear odorants felt significantly more stressed. Mediation analysis also revealed an indirect effect of exposure on trust through anxiety. More specifically, the more anxious the receiver felt, the less she trusted the virtual character. Our results show for the first time that the impact of exposure to fear-related body odorants on negative interpersonal impression formation is mediated by the anxiety induced in the receiver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Quintana
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kévin Nolet
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
| | - Oliver Baus
- School of psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bouchard
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
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22
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Gaby JM, Dalton P. Discrimination Between Individual Body Odors Is Unaffected by Perfume. Perception 2019; 48:1104-1123. [PMID: 31474186 DOI: 10.1177/0301006619872055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Gaby
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Food Science, Penn State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Pamela Dalton
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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23
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The sense of smell is today one of the focuses of interest in aging and neurodegenerative disease research. In several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, the olfactory dysfunction is one of the initial symptoms appearing years before motor symptoms and cognitive decline, being considered a clinical marker of these diseases' early stages and a marker of disease progression and cognitive decline. Overall and under the umbrella of precision medicine, attention to olfactory function may help to improve chances of success for neuroprotective and disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. RECENT FINDINGS The use of olfaction, as clinical marker for neurodegenerative diseases is helpful in the characterization of prodromal stages of these diseases, early diagnostic strategies, differential diagnosis, and potentially prediction of treatment success. Understanding the mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunction is central to determine its association with neurodegenerative disorders. Several anatomical systems and environmental factors may underlie or contribute to olfactory loss associated with neurological diseases, although the direct biological link to each disorder remains unclear and, thus, requires further investigation. In this review, we describe the neurobiology of olfaction, and the most common olfactory function measurements in neurodegenerative diseases. We also highlight the evidence for the presence of olfactory dysfunction in several neurodegenerative diseases, its value as a clinical marker for early stages of the diseases when combined with other clinical, biological, and neuroimage markers, and its role as a useful symptom for the differential diagnosis and follow-up of disease. The neuropathological correlations and the changes in neurotransmitter systems related with olfactory dysfunction in the neurodegenerative diseases are also described.
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24
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Sobotková M, Fialová J, Roberts SC, Havlíček J. Effect of Biological Relatedness on Perfume Selection for Others: Preliminary Evidence. Perception 2016; 46:498-515. [PMID: 27927973 DOI: 10.1177/0301006616682514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
People tend to choose perfumes to complement their body odour. As kin share some body odour qualities, their ability to select complementary perfumes for relatives might be higher compared with selection for nonrelatives. We tested this in two studies, comparing selection of a perfume for a target man by himself and by either a familiar but unrelated individual (girlfriend; Study 1) or a relative (sister; Study 2). Target men applied the two perfumes (own or other's choice) to their axillae and then wore cotton pads for 12 hr. Collected perfume-body odour blends and perfumes alone were assessed by rater panels. In Study 1, the blends were rated as nominally more pleasant when body odours were mixed with the perfumes selected by girlfriends compared with those selected by target men themselves. In Study 2, body odours mixed with perfumes selected by sisters were rated significantly more attractive than those mixed with perfumes selected by target men. No significant differences were found for attractiveness and pleasantness ratings when perfumes were rated alone, suggesting that it was the resulting blends that were uniquely different. Our results indicate that sisters might be particularly tuned to select suitable perfumes for their siblings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jitka Fialová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
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25
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Allen C, Cobey KD, Havlíček J, Roberts SC. The impact of artificial fragrances on the assessment of mate quality cues in body odor. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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