Majid, Asifa orcid.org/0000-0003-0132-216X, Speed, Laura, Croijmans, Ilja et al. (1 more author) (2017) What Makes a Better Smeller? Perception. pp. 406-430. ISSN 0301-0066
Abstract
Olfaction is often viewed as difficult, yet the empirical evidence suggests a different picture. A closer look shows people around the world differ in their ability to detect, discriminate, and name odors. This gives rise to the question of what influences our ability to smell. Instead of focusing on olfactory deficiencies, this review presents a positive perspective by focusing on factors that make someone a better smeller. We consider three driving forces in improving olfactory ability: one's biological makeup, one's experience, and the environment. For each factor, we consider aspects proposed to improve odor perception and critically examine the evidence; as well as introducing lesser discussed areas. In terms of biology, there are cases of neurodiversity, such as olfactory synesthesia, that serve to enhance olfactory ability. Our lifetime experience, be it typical development or unique training experience, can also modify the trajectory of olfaction. Finally, our odor environment, in terms of ambient odor or culinary traditions, can influence odor perception too. Rather than highlighting the weaknesses of olfaction, we emphasize routes to harnessing our olfactory potential.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2017. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details |
Keywords: | Cross-Cultural Comparison,Discrimination (Psychology),Environment,Humans,Individuality,Odorants,Olfactory Perception,Perceptual Disorders,Recognition (Psychology),Journal Article,Review |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Psychology (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 27 Sep 2018 10:50 |
Last Modified: | 17 Dec 2024 00:11 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1177/0301006616688224 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/0301006616688224 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:136304 |