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Schirmer A, Croy I, Liebal K, Schweinberger SR. Non-verbal effecting - animal research sheds light on human emotion communication. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39262120 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Cracking the non-verbal "code" of human emotions has been a chief interest of generations of scientists. Yet, despite much effort, a dictionary that clearly maps non-verbal behaviours onto meaning remains elusive. We suggest this is due to an over-reliance on language-related concepts and an under-appreciation of the evolutionary context in which a given non-verbal behaviour emerged. Indeed, work in other species emphasizes non-verbal effects (e.g. affiliation) rather than meaning (e.g. happiness) and differentiates between signals, for which communication benefits both sender and receiver, and cues, for which communication does not benefit senders. Against this backdrop, we develop a "non-verbal effecting" perspective for human research. This perspective extends the typical focus on facial expressions to a broadcasting of multisensory signals and cues that emerge from both social and non-social emotions. Moreover, it emphasizes the consequences or effects that signals and cues have for individuals and their social interactions. We believe that re-directing our attention from verbal emotion labels to non-verbal effects is a necessary step to comprehend scientifically how humans share what they feel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annett Schirmer
- Department of Psychology, Innsbruck University, Universitaetsstrasse 5-7, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Steiger 3, Jena, 07743, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Virchowweg 23, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Katja Liebal
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Talstraße 33, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Stefan R Schweinberger
- Department of Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Steiger 3, Jena, 07743, Germany
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2
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Liu Y, Jia S, Meng Y, Xing M, Guan J, Jiang J, Wang H. Intimate relationships regulate female brain activity in a competitive context: evidence from EEG and functional connectivity analysis. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae276. [PMID: 38989873 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition is common in life, and intimate relationships are essential. Understanding how intimate relationships impact an individual's competitive process is crucial. This study explored the impact of competitor gender on female competition using electroencephalography analysis. The results revealed that females exhibited a smaller median of the absolute value of reaction time difference (DRT) between their partners and their competitors when their partners were absent compared to when their partners were present. Additionally, females showed greater average amplitudes of N2 posterior contralateral component (N2pc) and Late Positive Potential (LPP), increased activation of the alpha frequency band, and enhanced theta frequency band functional connectivity between the central parietal lobe and occipital lobe. Furthermore, when competing with individuals of the same gender as opposed to individuals of the opposite gender, females exhibited greater average amplitudes of percentage of wins and N2pc. A significant negative correlation was noted between the DRT and the average wave amplitudes of N2pc and LPP. These findings suggest that females are more engaged in competitive tasks when partners are not present and have improved decision-making when competing with same-gender individuals. This study provides evidence for the influence of lovers on female competition, helping females adapt to social competition and promoting healthy relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Liu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Shuyu Jia
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Yujia Meng
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Miao Xing
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Jiaqi Guan
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - Jinru Jiang
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
- School of Psychology and Mental Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei, China
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3
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Semin GR, DePhillips M, Gomes N. Investigating Inattentional Blindness Through the Lens of Fear Chemosignals. Psychol Sci 2024; 35:72-81. [PMID: 38019589 DOI: 10.1177/09567976231213572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Inattentional blindness is a phenomenon wherein people fail to perceive obvious stimuli within their vision, sometimes leading to dramatic consequences. Research on the effects of fear chemosignals suggests that they facilitate receivers' sensory acquisition. We aimed to examine the interplay between these phenomena, investigating whether exposure to fear chemosignals (vs. rest body odors) can reduce the inattentional-blindness handicap. Utilizing a virtual-reality aquarium, we asked participants to count how many morsels a school of fish consumed while two unexpected stimuli swam by. We predicted that participants exposed to fear chemosignals (N = 131) would detect unexpected stimuli significantly more often than participants exposed to rest body odors (N = 125). All participants were adult Portuguese university students aged 18 to 40 years. The results confirmed our hypothesis, χ2(1) = 6.10, p = .014, revealing that exposure to fear chemosignals significantly increased the detection of unexpected stimuli by about 10%. The implications of our findings open a novel avenue for reducing the adverse consequences of inattentional blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gün R Semin
- William James Center for Research, Institute of Applied Psychology (ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal)
| | | | - Nuno Gomes
- William James Center for Research, Institute of Applied Psychology (ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal)
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro
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4
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Lübke KT, Storch D, Pause BM. Sexual Orientation Affects Neural Responses to Subtle Social Aggression Signals. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:153-175. [PMID: 37501010 PMCID: PMC10794475 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02661-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The current series of studies are the first to examine brain responses to social aggression signals as a function of male and female sexual orientation. For the first set of studies (1a, 1b), axillary sweat had been collected from 17 heterosexual men and 17 heterosexual women aggressively responding to frustrating opponents (aggression condition) and while playing a construction game (control condition). Sweat samples were pooled according to sex and condition, and presented via a constant flow olfactometer to 17 gay and 23 heterosexual men (Study 1a), and 19 lesbian and 25 heterosexual women (Study 1b). Ongoing EEG was recorded from 61 scalp locations, chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERPs; P2, P3-1, P3-2) were analyzed, and neuronal sources calculated (low resolution electromagnetic tomography). Within the second set of studies (2a, 2b), pictures of males' and females' weak angry and neutral facial expressions were presented to 21 gay and 23 heterosexual men (Study 2a), and 19 lesbian and 26 heterosexual women (Study 2b), and ERPs (N170, P3) were analyzed. Gay men showed larger P3-1 amplitudes than heterosexual men upon presentation of male aggression sweat, accompanied by activation of the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, BA 10). Gay men also displayed longer N170 latencies in response to men's compared to women's angry facial expressions, while heterosexual men did not. In women, sexual orientation did not affect the processing of aggression sweat or anger expressions. Gay men showed preferential processing of chemosensory aggression signals (P3-1 amplitudes), indicating fine-tuned socioemotional sensitivity, related to activation of brain areas involved in emotion regulation (IFG). They further process the relative relevance of visual aggression signals (N170 latency). These results were in line with theories proposing a common evolutionary pathway for same-sex attraction and traits easing social integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin T Lübke
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Dunja Storch
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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5
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Loos HM, Schaal B, Pause BM, Smeets MAM, Ferdenzi C, Roberts SC, de Groot J, Lübke KT, Croy I, Freiherr J, Bensafi M, Hummel T, Havlíček J. Past, Present, and Future of Human Chemical Communication Research. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023:17456916231188147. [PMID: 37669015 DOI: 10.1177/17456916231188147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Although chemical signaling is an essential mode of communication in most vertebrates, it has long been viewed as having negligible effects in humans. However, a growing body of evidence shows that the sense of smell affects human behavior in social contexts ranging from affiliation and parenting to disease avoidance and social threat. This article aims to (a) introduce research on human chemical communication in the historical context of the behavioral sciences; (b) provide a balanced overview of recent advances that describe individual differences in the emission of semiochemicals and the neural mechanisms underpinning their perception, that together demonstrate communicative function; and (c) propose directions for future research toward unraveling the molecular principles involved and understanding the variability in the generation, transmission, and reception of chemical signals in increasingly ecologically valid conditions. Achieving these goals will enable us to address some important societal challenges but are within reach only with the aid of genuinely interdisciplinary approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene M Loos
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Development of Olfactory Cognition and Communication Lab, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS UMR 6265, Université de Bourgogne
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
| | | | - Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier
| | | | | | - Katrin T Lübke
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
| | - Ilona Croy
- Institute for Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
| | - Jessica Freiherr
- Department of Sensory Analytics and Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, Inserm U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden
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6
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Ye Y, Nan Y, Wei R, Wu Y. Sex-specific effects of human chemosignal on perception of angry but not fearful faces. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 151:106055. [PMID: 36822128 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Androsta-4,16,-dien-3-one (androstadienone), a steroids implicated as a human social chemosignal, has been reported to impact one's emotional perception along the valence axis. The current study takes a step further to examine whether it modulates the perception of angry and fearful faces, two negative emotions that are similar with respect to valence and arousal, but signal different social values. Systematic comparisons of psychophysical data collected from 40 heterosexual men and 45 heterosexual women revealed that androstadienone subconsciously biased heterosexual men toward perceiving the male faces as less angry, while it biased the heterosexual women toward perceiving the female faces as angrier. Meanwhile, androstadienone did not affect the perception of fearful faces in either men or women. These findings indicate that the modulation of androstadienone on negative emotional perceptions is not uniform, suggesting that it alters the perception of specific rather than general negative emotions. In particular, it impacts one's perception of anger, which signals impending aggression, and hence could further impact an individual's social interaction in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Ye
- Institute of Psychology, School of Public Affairs, Xiamen University, No. 422, Siming South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yu Nan
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Ran Wei
- Liang Hua Middle School, Huidong County, Huizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yin Wu
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
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7
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de Groot JHB, Haertl T, Loos HM, Bachmann C, Kontouli A, Smeets MAM. Unraveling the universality of chemical fear communication: evidence from behavioral, genetic, and chemical analyses. Chem Senses 2023; 48:bjad046. [PMID: 37944028 PMCID: PMC10718800 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abundant evidence indicates that humans can communicate threat-related information to conspecifics through their body odors. However, prior research has been primarily conducted on Western (WEIRD) samples. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether threat-related information can be transmitted by individuals of East Asian descent who carry a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 538G → A in the ABCC11 gene, which significantly reduces (noticeable) body odor. To examine this, we recruited 18 self-identified male East Asian AA-homozygotes and 18 self-identified male Western individuals who were carriers of the functional G-allele. We collected samples of their fear-related and neutral body odors. Subsequently, we conducted a double-blind behavioral experiment in which we presented these samples to 69 self-identified female participants of Western Caucasian and East Asian backgrounds. The participants were asked to rate faces that were morphed between expressions of fear and disgust. Notably, despite the "odorless" phenotypical expression of the ABCC11-mutation in East Asians, their fear odor caused a perceptual fear bias in both East Asian and Caucasian receivers. This finding leaves open the possibility of universal fear chemosignaling. Additionally, we conducted exploratory chemical analysis to gain initial insights into the chemical composition of the body odors presented. In a subsequent pre-registered behavioral study (N = 33), we found that exposure to hexadecanoic acid, an abundant compound in the fear and neutral body odor samples, was sufficient to reproduce the observed behavioral effects. While exploratory, these findings provide insight into how specific chemical components can drive chemical fear communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper H B de Groot
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 XZ, the Netherlands
| | - Tobias Haertl
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Helene M Loos
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, Freising 85354, Germany
| | - Christin Bachmann
- Department of Social, Health, & Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CS, the Netherlands
| | - Athanasia Kontouli
- Department of Social, Health, & Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CS, the Netherlands
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- Department of Social, Health, & Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CS, the Netherlands
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8
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Ravreby I, Snitz K, Sobel N. There is chemistry in social chemistry. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0154. [PMID: 35749498 PMCID: PMC9232116 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Nonhuman terrestrial mammals sniff themselves and each other to decide who is friend or foe. Humans also sniff themselves and each other, but the function of this is unknown. Because humans seek friends who are similar to themselves, we hypothesized that humans may smell themselves and others to subconsciously estimate body odor similarity, which, in turn, may promote friendship. To test this, we recruited nonromantic same-sex friend dyads and harvested their body odor. We found that objective ratings obtained with an electronic nose, and subjective ratings obtained from independent human smellers converged to suggest that friends smell more similar to each other than random dyads. Last, we recruited complete strangers, smelled them with an electronic nose, and engaged them in nonverbal same-sex dyadic interactions. We observed that dyads who smelled more similar had more positive dyadic interactions. In other words, we could predict social bonding with an electronic nose. We conclude that there is indeed chemistry in social chemistry.
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Reading the Mind through the Nose: Mentalizing Skills Predict Olfactory Performance. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12050644. [PMID: 35625030 PMCID: PMC9139398 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of literature suggests a close link between olfaction and social expertise. The current study examines whether mentalizing skills are related to olfactory discrimination performance. In order to assess their mentalizing ability, 21 women and 20 men completed the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test (RMET). Here, the participants have to infer other persons’ mental state from photographs of eye regions. Odor discrimination was assessed using the “Düsseldorf Odour Discrimination Test” (DODT). The DODT consists of 15 items, each containing mixtures of four monomolecular substances. Within each item, two bottles contain the same mixing ratio, while the third contains the reversed mixing ratio. The participants had to identify the deviating odor. Women’s expertise in mentalizing (RMET score) is strongly related to olfactory discrimination performance (DODT score): The better women are in mentalizing, the better their performance in olfactory discrimination (rho = 0.572, p = 0.042, Bonferroni-corrected). Men’s mentalizing capability was unrelated to olfactory discrimination (rho = −0.117, p > 0.999, Bonferroni-corrected). The current results suggest that the social skill of mentalizing might underly the link between olfaction and social integration, at least in women, and are discussed with regard to the social nature of human olfaction.
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Mishor E, Amir D, Weiss T, Honigstein D, Weissbrod A, Livne E, Gorodisky L, Karagach S, Ravia A, Snitz K, Karawani D, Zirler R, Weissgross R, Soroka T, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Agron S, Rozenkrantz L, Reshef N, Furman-Haran E, Breer H, Strotmann J, Uebi T, Ozaki M, Sobel N. Sniffing the human body volatile hexadecanal blocks aggression in men but triggers aggression in women. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg1530. [PMID: 34797713 PMCID: PMC8604408 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg1530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In terrestrial mammals, body volatiles can effectively trigger or block conspecific aggression. Here, we tested whether hexadecanal (HEX), a human body volatile implicated as a mammalian-wide social chemosignal, affects human aggression. Using validated behavioral paradigms, we observed a marked dissociation: Sniffing HEX blocked aggression in men but triggered aggression in women. Next, using functional brain imaging, we uncovered a pattern of brain activity mirroring behavior: In both men and women, HEX increased activity in the left angular gyrus, an area implicated in perception of social cues. HEX then modulated functional connectivity between the angular gyrus and a brain network implicated in social appraisal (temporal pole) and aggressive execution (amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex) in a sex-dependent manner consistent with behavior: increasing connectivity in men but decreasing connectivity in women. These findings implicate sex-specific social chemosignaling at the mechanistic heart of human aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Mishor
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Amir
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Danielle Honigstein
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Weissbrod
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ethan Livne
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shiri Karagach
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kobi Snitz
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Diyala Karawani
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rotem Zirler
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Weissgross
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shani Agron
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Rozenkrantz
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Reshef
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Heinz Breer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joerg Strotmann
- Institute of Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tatsuya Uebi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozaki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Noam Sobel
- Azrieli National Center for Brain Imaging and Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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11
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Damon F, Mezrai N, Magnier L, Leleu A, Durand K, Schaal B. Olfaction in the Multisensory Processing of Faces: A Narrative Review of the Influence of Human Body Odors. Front Psychol 2021; 12:750944. [PMID: 34675855 PMCID: PMC8523678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent body of research has emerged regarding the interactions between olfaction and other sensory channels to process social information. The current review examines the influence of body odors on face perception, a core component of human social cognition. First, we review studies reporting how body odors interact with the perception of invariant facial information (i.e., identity, sex, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and dominance). Although we mainly focus on the influence of body odors based on axillary odor, we also review findings about specific steroids present in axillary sweat (i.e., androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone, and estratetraenol). We next survey the literature showing body odor influences on the perception of transient face properties, notably in discussing the role of body odors in facilitating or hindering the perception of emotional facial expression, in relation to competing frameworks of emotions. Finally, we discuss the developmental origins of these olfaction-to-vision influences, as an emerging literature indicates that odor cues strongly influence face perception in infants. Body odors with a high social relevance such as the odor emanating from the mother have a widespread influence on various aspects of face perception in infancy, including categorization of faces among other objects, face scanning behavior, or facial expression perception. We conclude by suggesting that the weight of olfaction might be especially strong in infancy, shaping social perception, especially in slow-maturing senses such as vision, and that this early tutoring function of olfaction spans all developmental stages to disambiguate a complex social environment by conveying key information for social interactions until adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Damon
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Inrae, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS (UMR 6265), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
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12
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You See What You Smell: Preferential Processing of Chemosensory Satiety Cues and Its Impact on Body Shape Perception. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091152. [PMID: 34573175 PMCID: PMC8464758 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study examines neural responses to satiety- and fasting-related volatiles and their effect on the processing of body shapes. Axillary sweat was sampled with cotton pads from 10 individuals after 12 h of fasting, and after having consumed a standard breakfast. Pure cotton pads served as the control. The chemosensory stimuli were presented to 20 participants (via a constant-flow olfactometer) exclusively, and additionally as context to images of overweight and underweight avatars. EEG was recorded (61 electrodes), and chemosensory (CSERPs; P1, N1, P2, P3) and visual event-related potentials (VERPs; N1, P2, P3a, P3b) were analyzed. The amplitudes of all positive CSERP components differed more strongly from cotton in response to chemosensory satiety cues as compared to fasting cues (P1: p = 0.023, P2: p = 0.083, P3: p = 0.031), paralleled by activity within the middle frontal and temporal gyrus. Overweight compared to underweight body shapes tended to elicit larger VERP P2 amplitudes (p = 0.068), and chemosensory satiety cues amplified the VERP amplitudes in response to any body shape (P2, P3a, P3b; all ps ≤ 0.017) as compared to the cotton control. The results indicate that chemosensory satiety cues transmit complex social information, overriding the processing of analogous visual input.
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13
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Meister L, Pause BM. It's trust or risk? Chemosensory anxiety signals affect bargaining in women. Biol Psychol 2021; 162:108114. [PMID: 33979670 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
It is well documented how chemosensory anxiety signals affect the perceiver's physiology, however, much less is known about effects on overt social behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of chemosensory anxiety signals on trust and risk behavior in men and women. Axillary sweat samples were collected from 22 men during the experience of social anxiety, and during a sport control condition. In a series of five studies, the chemosensory stimuli were presented via an olfactometer to 214 participants acting as investors in a bargaining task either in interaction with a fictitious human co-player (trust condition) or with a computer program (risk condition). It could be shown that chemosensory anxiety signals reduce trust and risk behavior in women. In men, no effects were observed. Chemosensory anxiety is discussed to be transmitted contagiously, preferentially in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Meister
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany.
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14
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Gamsakhurdashvili D, Antov MI, Lübke KT, Pause BM, Stockhorst U. The role of olfaction and sex-hormone status in empathy-related measures. Physiol Behav 2021; 230:113289. [PMID: 33321141 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Reports of a female advantage in empathy-related measures suggest a role for sex hormones, although the data are inconsistent. Studies also report similar sex differences in human olfactory perception. In rodents, olfaction is involved in detecting and integrating socially relevant information and is modulated by the brain actions of estrogens. We hypothesized that olfaction may untangle the mixed evidence on the relationship between sex hormones and empathy-related measures (cognitive and affective) in humans. To test this, we examined 60 healthy participants in three sex-hormone-status groups: free-cycling women tested in cycle phases with higher 17-β estradiol and progesterone, oral-contraceptive users (low estradiol and progesterone), and men. We assessed empathy-related measures, facial mimicry (from zygomaticus and corrugator muscle activity), and odor discrimination ability. In the empathy-related measures and facial mimicry, we did not find overall group effects or meaningful associations with salivary levels of estradiol, progesterone, or testosterone. Free-cycling women only outperformed men in the recognition of emotions from pictures of the eye region, but sex hormones were unrelated to emotion recognition performance. Oral contraceptive users showed higher scores in the affective empathy-related measure when viewing negative emotions, with no relation to hormone levels. Free-cycling women exhibited the strongest facial mimicry (viewing female, but not male protagonists), positively associated with progesterone. Finally, the groups differed in odor discrimination, with free-cycling women outperforming men. However, odor discrimination ability and empathy-related performance were not correlated. Our results support a role of sex hormones in odor perception and in empathy-related measures, to a certain extent. However, no common underlying mechanism was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dali Gamsakhurdashvili
- Institute of Psychology, Experimental Psychology II and Biological Psychology, University of Osnabrück, Seminarstrasse 20, D-49074 Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Martin I Antov
- Institute of Psychology, Experimental Psychology II and Biological Psychology, University of Osnabrück, Seminarstrasse 20, D-49074 Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Katrin T Lübke
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Bettina M Pause
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Ursula Stockhorst
- Institute of Psychology, Experimental Psychology II and Biological Psychology, University of Osnabrück, Seminarstrasse 20, D-49074 Osnabrück, Germany.
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15
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Sterley TL, Bains JS. Social communication of affective states. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 68:44-51. [PMID: 33434768 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions promote the communication of explicit and implicit information between individuals. Implicit or subconscious sharing of cues can be useful in conveying affective states. Knowing the affective state of others can guide future interactions, while an inability to decipher another's affective state is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder. The precise neural circuitry and mechanisms involved in communicating affective states are not well understood. Over the past few years, a number of important observations in rodent models have increased our knowledge of the neural processes for social communication of affective state. Here we highlight these contributions by first describing the rodent models used to investigate social communication of affect and then summarising the neural circuitry and processes implicated by these rodent models. We relate these findings to humans as well as to the current global context where social interactions have been modified by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni-Lee Sterley
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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16
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de Groot JHB, Croijmans I, Smeets MAM. More Data, Please: Machine Learning to Advance the Multidisciplinary Science of Human Sociochemistry. Front Psychol 2020; 11:581701. [PMID: 33192899 PMCID: PMC7642605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.581701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication constitutes the core of human life. A large portion of our everyday social interactions is non-verbal. Of the sensory modalities we use for non-verbal communication, olfaction (i.e., the sense of smell) is often considered the most enigmatic medium. Outside of our awareness, smells provide information about our identity, emotions, gender, mate compatibility, illness, and potentially more. Yet, body odors are astonishingly complex, with their composition being influenced by various factors. Is there a chemical basis of olfactory communication? Can we identify molecules predictive of psychological states and traits? We propose that answering these questions requires integrating two disciplines: psychology and chemistry. This new field, coined sociochemistry, faces new challenges emerging from the sheer amount of factors causing variability in chemical composition of body odorants on the one hand (e.g., diet, hygiene, skin bacteria, hormones, genes), and variability in psychological states and traits on the other (e.g., genes, culture, hormones, internal state, context). In past research, the reality of these high-dimensional data has been reduced in an attempt to isolate unidimensional factors in small, homogenous samples under tightly controlled settings. Here, we propose big data approaches to establish novel links between chemical and psychological data on a large scale from heterogeneous samples in ecologically valid settings. This approach would increase our grip on the way chemical signals non-verbally and subconsciously affect our social lives across contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper H. B. de Groot
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ilja Croijmans
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Monique A. M. Smeets
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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17
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Roberts SC, Misztal PK, Langford B. Decoding the social volatilome by tracking rapid context-dependent odour change. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190259. [PMID: 32306868 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Odours can have a significant influence on the outcome of social interactions. However, we have yet to characterize the chemical signature of any specific social cue in human body odour, and we know little about how changes in social context influence odour chemistry. Here, we argue that adoption of emerging analytical techniques from other disciplines, such as atmospheric chemistry, might become game-changing tools in this endeavour. First, we describe the use of online chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to sensitively measure many hundreds of gas-phase volatile organic compounds in real time. By analysing ambient air emanating from undisturbed individuals or groups, the technique enables a continuous recording of an instantaneous odour change in response to external stimuli and changing social context. This has considerable advantages over the traditional approach of periodic sampling for analysis by gas chromatography. We also discuss multivariate statistical approaches, such as positive matrix factorization, that can effectively sift through this complex datastream to identify linked groups of compounds that probably underpin functional chemosignals. In combination, these innovations offer new avenues for addressing outstanding questions concerning olfactory communication in humans and other species, as well as in related fields using odour, such as biometrics and disease diagnostics. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Craig Roberts
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Pawel K Misztal
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.,Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Ben Langford
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh EH26 0QB, UK
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18
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Roberts SC, Havlíček J, Schaal B. Human olfactory communication: current challenges and future prospects. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190258. [PMID: 32306869 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although anthropologists frequently report the centrality of odours in the daily lives and cultural beliefs of many small-scale communities, Western scholars have historically considered the sense of smell as minimally involved in human communication. Here, we suggest that the origin and persistence of this latter view might be a consequence of the fact that most research is conducted on participants from Western societies who, collectively, were rather old (adults), deodorized and desensitized (ODD) to various aspects of olfactory perception. The view is rapidly changing, however, and this themed issue provides a timely overview of the current state-of-the-art on human chemocommunication. Based on evolutionary models of communication, the papers cover both general mechanisms of odour production by 'senders' and odour perception by 'receivers'. Focus on specific functional contexts includes reciprocal impact of odours between infants and mothers, the role of odour in mate choice and how odours communicate emotion and disease. Finally, a position paper outlines pitfalls and opportunities for the future, against the context of the replication crisis in psychology. We believe a more nuanced view of human chemical communication is within our grasp if we can continue to develop inter-disciplinary insights and expand research activities beyond ODD people. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Craig Roberts
- Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 42 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Taste, Smell and Feeding Behaviour Science, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne-Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
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19
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Ferdenzi C, Richard Ortegón S, Delplanque S, Baldovini N, Bensafi M. Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190268. [PMID: 32306873 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ferdenzi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Stéphane Richard Ortegón
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
| | - Sylvain Delplanque
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Baldovini
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, CNRS UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, F-06108 Nice, France
| | - Moustafa Bensafi
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier, F-69675 Bron Cedex, France
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