Investigating the Sense of Smell and Its Relevance to Embodied Social Work Practice: Exploring the Literature

Abstract

ABSTRACT Smell is one of the many senses we deploy to act in and on our world. It is arguably the most visceral, ubiquitous, and immediately experienced, but simultaneously devalued and understudied, sense. Smell is often processed in an unconscious manner, exposing social class, gendered, age-based and racialised stereotypes. Smell therefore links to structural inequalities, affecting marginalised client groups who may emit certain smells, abide in malodorous environments, possess smell deficits, or exhibit strong emotional reactions to specific smells. Without relevant knowledge, social workers may associate various smells directly with negative individual personality or group characteristics or misinterpret situations. They could consequently unwittingly oppress subordinated groups, contravening value-based, anti-oppressive and reflexive practice. This article therefore explores the limited multidisciplinary literature on smell, supporting more informed and ethical practice decisions. IMPLICATIONS The senses, particularly smell, have been mostly overlooked in social work. As a result, social workers may often ignore, be unaware of, or react autonomously to issues involving smell. The multidisciplinary literature analysed and synthesised in this article illuminates smell’s, hitherto unrecognised, importance in social work. It begins to enable practitioners to identify when smell becomes a problematic issue, and reflexively respond in an informed, empathic manner. The article also strongly suggests that greater attention should be paid to smell in future social work education, practice, and research.