Michael D. Barnett, Ben K. Mokhtari, Jenna M. Moore
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
Introduction
Previous research suggests that putrescine — the chemical compound that gives decomposing organic matter its distinctive odor — may trigger an inborn evolutionary mechanism that prompts individuals to avoid the smell of decay. The purpose of these two experiments was to investigate the effects of exposure to putrescine on human cognition.
Methods
Two between-subjects experiments (experiment 1 N = 109; experiment 2 N = 108) compared individuals exposed to either putrescine, ammonia, or water. Experiment 1 measures included odorant ratings (i.e., intensity, familiarity, repugnance, goodness), implicit measures (i.e., word completion task, moral judgment vignettes, and opinions on the death penalty), and explicit measures (i.e., death attitudes, self-esteem, and life satisfaction); experiment 2 measures included odorant ratings and life satisfaction.
Results
In experiment 1, there were no differences by odorant condition on implicit measures; however, those exposed to putrescine reported higher life satisfaction than those exposed to water. These results were replicated in experiment 2.
Conclusions
Exposure to putrescine may activate psychological threat management processes, which are then interpreted as higher life satisfaction.
Implications
Human olfactory perception is sensitive to putrescine, and putrescine may exert some subtle psychological effects on human cognition.
先前的研究表明，腐胺——一种使分解的有机物散发出独特气味的化合物——可能会触发一种天生的进化机制，促使个体避免腐烂的气味。这两个实验的目的是研究暴露于腐胺对人类认知的影响。方法2个受试者间实验(实验1 N = 109;实验2 N = 108)比较了暴露于腐胺、氨或水的个体。实验1测量包括气味评分(即强度、熟悉度、厌恶度、善良度)、内隐测量(即填字任务、道德判断小片段和对死刑的看法)和外显测量(即死亡态度、自尊和生活满意度);实验2的测量包括气味评分和生活满意度。结果在实验1中，不同气味条件下内隐测量结果无显著差异;然而，那些接触腐胺的人比接触水的人生活满意度更高。这些结果在实验2中得到了重复。结论暴露于腐胺可激活心理威胁管理过程，从而解释为更高的生活满意度。人类嗅觉对腐胺敏感，腐胺可能对人的认知产生微妙的心理影响。
期刊介绍：
Coverage in Chemosensory Perception includes animal work with implications for human phenomena and explores the following areas:
Identification of chemicals producing sensory response;
Identification of sensory response associated with chemicals;
Human in vivo response to chemical stimuli;
Human in vitro response to chemical stimuli;
Neuroimaging of chemosensory function;
Neurological processing of chemoreception;
Chemoreception mechanisms;
Psychophysics of chemoperception;
Trigeminal function;
Multisensory perception;
Contextual effect on chemoperception;
Behavioral response to chemical stimuli;
Physiological factors affecting and contributing to chemoperception;
Flavor and hedonics;
Memory and chemoperception.
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