The personal fragrance industry is said to be built on the principle that individuals draw attraction from others on the basis of the smell they exude. Different types of scents and fragrances are designed to have a citrusy, fruity, floral, green, woody, spicy, oceanic or oriental flavor. A person wearing a particular scent is likely to elicit attention from those attracted to the smell. Once a connection is made, they will also have established their liking for similar interests.
A 2014 report published by the American Journal of Political Science, conveyed that the natural odor released by the body is a natural drawing factor. Smelling a good or bad body odor initializes the process of grouping individuals who share similar perception of a political ideology; either of conservatism or liberalism. This particular conclusion came as a result of a study involving 125 individuals who rated smells considered as the most attractive. The body odor came from individuals with strong conservative and strong liberal leanings, but without the 125 participants knowing their political views.
The main author of the study, Dr. Rose McDermott, expressed her belief that smells convey significant information related to political ideology. The smell sends a message of affinity or spontaneous liking to a set of thoughts, leading to coalition of similar political, cultural, environmental and moral outlooks.
Based on the political science experiment, participants chose individuals with whom they shared political views not on the basis of the identity of the individual but on their body odor. Distinguishing the smell of some political individuals included 21 people who had small gauze pads held in their armpits for 24 hours. The disgust sensitivity tapped conservative outlooks, usually about sexual reproduction and/or morality
Psychologists Support Findings with Credible Explanations
In joining the discussion, psychology experts state that ability to detect a political smell is dependent on the androstenone present in the body.
Androstenone, a hormone similar to testosterone, which in animals are found in large concentrations in the saliva. A male pig androstenonè when detected by a female pig heat easily consummates a sexual encounter.
In humans, the smell of androstenone have different scents, which to some is an unpleasant, urinous or sweaty smell, while others describe it a pleasant woody or floral smell.
Psychologists believe that the variations on androstenone smell among humans, or even the inability to detect the smell of androstenone may be linked to political beliefs. That is because it has been established that there are various kinds of genes linked to androstenone smell interpretation or reception. Non recognition of androstenone smell, or interpretation of the androstenone scent is suggestive of subconscious awareness of an existing social hierarchy.
Smell Can Connect to Like-Minded Individuals
In the same way, smells can help in determining individuals to choose as partner. The olfactory can send smell signals indicative of certain social and biological responses, which include but not limited to disgust sensitivity, disease-avoidance, lie-detection and social connection.
Penchant for perfumes, or for using fragrant substances like those supplied by grain and gram can play an important role in drawing people who share the same views and outlook in life
