Olfaction in romantic relationships

This study explored the reasons why people commonly smell the clothing of loved ones. Romantic partners' scents were compared with (1) that of an unknown other person (placebo) or (2) a neutral odor (control) to examine their effect on anxiety, negative affect and feelings of comfort. Adult attachment was also measured dimensionally with the Bartholomew and Horowitz Relationship Questionnaire (RQ). All participants rated themselves on each attachment dimension (Secure, Fearful, Preoccupied and Dismissing). Participants presented with the scent of their partner experienced significant increases in comfort when compared to both placebo and control odor, and decreased anxiety and negative affect when compared to neutral odor. Scent of partners and unknown persons were equivalent in their ability to decrease the aversive emotions.

• | Author: Heaney Ramona
• | Publisher: Ramona Heaney
• | Publication Date: May 02, 2023
• | Number of Pages: 98 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 7402026078
• | ISBN-13: 9787402026074