Research of the Psychological Interconnection between the Basic Odors and the Emotional State of a Human Being

Tatiana Nikolaevna Berezina

doi:10.5539/ass.v10n21p159

Abstract

Psychological interrelation between the base odors (according to Amoore) and the base emotional states ofhuman beings (according to Ekman) is established. The subjects were offered samples of the basic odors. Theirtask was to associate these odors with one of the proposed basic emotions. The analysis of variance showed thesignificant association of putrid odor with the emotion of disgust, the odor of mint with the emotion of surprise,and the odor of musk with the emotion of anger. Other odors can cause two or three emotions. Based on thetheoretical analysis, the article proposes to associate flowery odor with the emotion of joy, the odor of fruit withthe emotion of pleasure, the pungent odor with the emotion of fear, and the odor of camphor with the emotion ofsadness. Hypothesis of the existence of olfactory-emotional language allowing to create the emotional tone ofthe odor of any object, is offered.

Highlights

The interrelation of odors and the emotional sphere is well known
It is necessary to consider that in causal distributions of emotions in relationship to odors, each emotion would cause in 14-15 % of cases
The model of existence of olfactory-emotional language was offered to support the existence of an unequivocal connection between the base odors and the base emotions

Summary

Introduction

The interrelation of odors and the emotional sphere is well known This relationship is caused by both physiological and psychological mechanisms. Researchers emphasize the direct relationship between olfaction and the limbic system, which is responsible for the generation of human emotions. Some researchers suggest that the direct relationship with the limbic system explains the expressed emotional component of olfactory sensations. Chen and J.Haviland-Jones have shown that it is possible to define human emotional states according to odor of the person. It is possible to change the emotional state of a person. Odors relate to human memory: an odor can trigger flashbacks and cause the same emotional state that was present at the original moment of perception (Herz, 2005)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion