Olfactory Stimulation
I. Olfaction: the sense of smell. A. Olfactory Bulb: the center where odor-sensitive receptor cells in the nose send their signals, located just below the frontal lobes of the human brain. 1) Hyposmia: a diminished sense of smell. 2) Anosmia: a total loss of smell. C. The Connection of Smell to Taste B. Sex Differences…
II. Odor and Memory A. Odor-Dependent Memory: the presence of a particular odor during the time of learning can facilitate recall of the learned material if that same odor is present during the time of recall. Two Key Findings… 1) The odor can be pleasant or unpleasant (the effect worked with chocolate, apple/cinnamon, and mothballs). 2) The SAME odor must be present during learning and recall (switching odors between learning and recall does not enhance memory). B. Time Travel Made Possible With Odor!
III. Odor and Sexual Attraction A. Fragrance manufacturing is a multi-billion dollar industry. However, much of what sells a fragrance, like a perfume, is the promise that you will be sexy like the model in the ad supposedly using the perfume. B. Some evidence suggests that fragrances may increase sexual attraction. 1) Cinnamon Buns and Cucumbers! IV. Odor and Helping Behavior A. Baking Cookies, Roasting Coffee, and Helping Behavior
V. Odor and Persuasion A. Ambient aromas (like vanilla, chocolate, and floral scents) can affect consumers’ shopping pace, and make them linger longer in stores and restaurants. B. Repeated exposure to a given fragrance may result in desensitization, or create an aversion to the smell. VI. Odor and Aggression A. Cigarette Smoke and Aggression B. Flatulence and Aggression