Effects of unpleasant odors on emotion recognition: The right hemisphere and valence-specific hypotheses

Abstract

The right hemisphere has traditionally been considered as dominant in odor and emotion perception, whereas little is known about odor influence on emotion recognition. This study aimed to examine a possible difference in the recognition of basic emotions presented to the left or the right visual field following short-term left or right nostril treatment with an unpleasant odor. A total of 60 right-handed female participants completed an emotion recognition task in conditions of the right and left nostril treatment with an unpleasant odor (isovaleric acid). Results showed the right hemisphere advantage in speed, but not in the accuracy of basic emotion recognition after the right nostril treatment with an unpleasant odor, while the left nostril treatment had no effect. The right hemisphere and valence-specific hypotheses in emotion recognition were not confirmed, whereas the model of the right hemisphere dominance in odor perception was confirmed.