Biological Approach: Affect of Pheromones on Behavior Flashcards

A chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal that affects the behavior or physiology of others of its own species

• are believed to play a significant role in signalizing between members of the same species to trigger/activate various behavioral responses

Primer and Signaling Pheromones

Cause slow, long-term physiological changes such as hormonal effects

Produces rapid behavioral effects, such as mating

In animals, pheromones are believed to be detected primarily by the vomeronasal organ (VNO); a region adjacent to the olfactory bulb.

• humans don't have a VNO

It is hypothesized that human pheromones are detected and processed in the olfactory bulbs within the brain

• these bulbs are located near the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls sexuality

Yet to find direct evidence that human pheromones exist

Androstadienenone: found in male armpit sweat and semen. which has been associated with physiological arousal in females

• Research is inconclusive- it must be admitted that research is inconclusive and the existence of human pheromones is not a scientifically established fact
• Contradictory findings- for every experiment that supports the existence of human pheromones, we can find a study that doesn't
• Inherent Methodological Limitations- There are major methodogical limitations inherent in any research in this field

Wedekind et al (1995): Sweaty t-shirt Study