BOC: Week 2 Survey & Results

http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/humannature00/FinalArticles/TheSenseofScentA.html

This survey has to do with scent and sexual attraction. The survey was created by four female college students that were inspired after a conversation about everything being scented, from lotions they use to feminine hygiene products. This project attempted to explore the role that scent, and specifically artificial scent, plays in college-age interpersonal relationships. It has been hypothesized that scent plays a crucial role in sexual attraction between individuals. A survey and practical experiment were conducted in an attempt to prove that not only is scent important in college-a

ged persons interactions, but that showered and artificial scents in comparison to n

atural odors is the most desired.

Surveys were conducted first and given to 50 students on the college campus. All surveyed students were kept between the ages of 18 and 22. Then a series of tests were given to these same 50 students. Tests included being asked to smell different scents and guess what they are and being asked to smell scents are reveal emotions they feel from the scent. Then poles were taken around campus of how often women shower vs. men. Over 50% of each showers daily but 15% of men shower twice daily vs. .4% of women. 62.5% of women on campus rated scent as moderately important against 42.3% of men. However, 15.4% of men rated scent as very important where as only 12.5% of women did the same. Over 65% of both men and women say that scent plays a factor in whether they will become romantic with someone.

Finally, 5 perfumes for men to smell and 5 colognes for women to smell were tested on the students to see which reminded them of a past relationship. The perfumes chosen were Happy, Journey, Kenzo, Sunflowers and CK1. The colognes chosen were Chrome, A&F, A&F Woods, Hugo Boss and CK1. CK

1 was chosen by women and Happy and Journey in a tie were chosen by men.

I thought this was a very interesting survey because I also find it strange how large of a role scent plays in our everyday lives. The study needs much more work done to be accurate: a larger number of students, more tests and a fewer number of variables. I do think that the concept, however, is incredibly note-worthy and would look into it more.