Monday, November 24, 2014

Emotion and Sense of Smell

“One of the amazing things about odor identification is that knowing the correct label for the odor actually seems to transform our perception into that odor…some researchers have answered the question ‘how odor objects are represented’ by drawing a parallel between recognizing odors and experiencing memories [that can elicit an emotional response].”

Various smells bring to memory emotions in both good and bad ways. Because the olfactory bulb is close to the brain’s limbic system, and areas so closely associated with memory and feeling it’s sometimes called the “emotional brain.” Smell can also bring up memories and powerful responses quickly. I chose to post on this subject because I know people who are very emotionally sensitive to different, distinct smells; and I am too. I also found it interesting to find the areas of the brain involved in the link between emotion and smell. I learned the olfactory bulb was closer to the amygdala than I thought. According to one website, trials prove the perception of all odors is subjective and based on cultural conditioning or emotional state. I know how pheromones have an effect on our senses and moods, and influence behavior (sometimes at an unconscious level).


Perception and Sensation textbook 

1 comment:

  1. This is so interesting, because it is very common for someone to smell something that brings back either a good memory like a season, house, certain food, etc. and it is also common that someone smells something such as a cologne/perfume that reminds them of an old relationship or something from their past that was no enjoyable. A smell can completely affect a mood or way a scenario is perceived to an individual.

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