Measuring automatic associations between relaxing/energizing feelings and odors

Abstract

The extent to which automatic associations exist between relaxing and energizing feelings and odors is unclear. To investigate this question, we used a modified version of the Implicit Association Test. In this task, participants had to make speeded discrimination responses between stimuli and words related to energizing vs. relaxing feelings. These stimuli were either visual stimuli (i.e., vanilla vs. mint labels in Experiment 1) or olfactory (vanillin vs. menthol in Experiment 2, and two fine fragrances in Experiment 3). In compatible blocks, purportedly related items (e.g., vanillin and a label related to relaxing feelings) shared the same response key, while in incompatible blocks they did not (e.g., vanillin and a word related to energizing feelings). In the three experiments, the participants responded significantly faster in the compatible blocks than in the incompatible ones. The stronger the association between purportedly related items, the faster the participant responds in compatible blocks and the slower in incompatible blocks. Consequently, this differential speed of response supports the existence of associations between the stimuli that were considered to be compatible. This argues for the existence of automatic associations between relaxing/energizing feelings and odors, associations that can influence behavior.

Relaxing and stimulating effects of odors on time perception and their modulation by expectancy

“…Notably, in Yue et al (2016), participants produced longer durations (short sound intervals) when they were exposed to lavender odor (considered to be relaxing) compared to garlic and jasmine odor. One possible explanation for such results is that peppermint can also be implicitly considered as stimulating (Lemercier-Talbot et al, 2019). Moreover, Schreuder et al did not interpret the effect of the rosemary odor on the basis of an arousal-based mechanism since no differences were observed in physiological measurements.…”

“…The activation properties of odors are now considered major features of olfactory-elicited emotions in addition to their relative (un)pleasantness, according to Russell's classic bidimensional model (i.e., arousal dimension; e.g., Bensafi et al, 2002). This is also reflected within more recent multidimensional approaches (Baccarani, Brand, Dacremont, Valentin, & Brochard, 2020;Chrea et al, 2009;Delplanque et al, 2012;Ferdenzi et al, 2013;Lemercier-Talbot et al, 2019;Porcherot et al, 2010). However, the relaxing and stimulating effects of odors have been much less investigated than their hedonic valence and little is yet known about their underlying mechanisms (Herz, 2009).…”

Validation of New Methods of Using Simulated Whole-Body Movements as Implicit Indicators of Sound and Odor Preferences

“…During the delivery of odor, air valves were automatically closed and odor valves opened. As typically performed in our implicit olfactory procedures (Lemercier-Talbot et al, 2019 ; Cereghetti et al, 2020 ), the interstimulus interval and the odorant flow rate were both fixed at 2 L × min −1 , thus delivering a constant flow to the nose of participants. Stainless steel tips were used as the final delivery piece.…”

Closed-Loop Cognitive Stress Regulation Using Fuzzy Control in Wearable-Machine Interface Architectures

“…The examples of these actuation are listening to music [85]- [88], adjusting the light in workplaces [89]- [91], smelling fragrances [92]- [94], and drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and water [95]. Using different actuators and wearable devices, one may perform system identification and model the actuation dynamics [96]- [100]. Considering subject-specific responses and possible latency in skin conductance responses to any actuation [101], one may model the actuation dynamics and include them in the experimental WMI architectures.…”