Smells and Likeability

New research from Northwestern University shows that people are sensitive to infinitesimal scents that affect whether or not we like somebody.

According to ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2007) "We may think our judgments are based only on various conscious bits of information, but our senses also may provide subliminal perceptual information that affects our behavior."

Apparently the study showed that smells that could be detected such as perfume and loud body odor did not effect the participants decision in determining the likability of a stranger. However, scents that were not readily noticed were powerful factors in the participants decision to like or not like someone.

The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that subliminal sensory information -- whether from scents, vision or hearing -- affects perception.

*The paper "Subliminal Smells Can Guide Social Preferences" was published in the December issue of Psychological Science.