Olfactics

Despite the fact that anthropologists often highlight the vital role of smells in everyday life and cultural beliefs of many smaller communities, Western scholars have historically minimized the importance of the sense of smell in human communication. This perspective suggests that smell plays a relatively minor role in the way humans interact and communicate. This perspective is likely due to the fact that the majority of research in this field has been conducted on participants from Western societies, typically adults who are accustomed to living in environments where strong odours are controlled or eliminated, and who have, as a result, become somewhat desensitized to the nuances of olfactory perception. This group of participants can be described as being rather old, deodorized, and desensitized (ODD).

However, this perspective is rapidly changing, as a growing number of researchers are beginning to recognize the importance of smell in human communication. This themed issue provides a comprehensive and timely overview of the current state of research on human chemocommunication. Drawing on evolutionary models of communication, the papers included in this issue explore the mechanisms of odour production by ‘senders’ and odour perception by ‘receivers’.

Several papers focus on specific functional contexts in which smells play a role. These include the reciprocal impact of odours between infants and their mothers, the role of smell in mate selection, and the ways in which smells can communicate information about a person’s emotional state and health. The issue concludes with a position paper that outlines the challenges and opportunities for future research in this field, set against the backdrop of the ongoing replication crisis in psychology.

We believe that a more nuanced understanding of human chemical communication is within our grasp. However, this will require continued interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to expanding research activities beyond the traditional focus on ODD individuals. We hope that this issue will inspire further research and discussion on this fascinating and important aspect of human communication.