Pheromones

Question 1

Define pheromones (2)

Answer 1

chemical messengers emitted into environment from body

to activate specific physiological or behavioral responses to other individuals

Question 2

2 types of pheromones (2)

Answer 2

primer pheromones - cause slow, long-term physiological changes e.g influencing hormone levels

signaling pheromones - trigger immediate behavioral e.g initiating mating behaviour

Question 3

Vomeronasal organ (VNO) (2)

Answer 3

scientists associate organ with pheromone receptor

loses ability as person ages

Question 4

Doucet 2009 Pheromones (4)

Answer 4

administered various secretion nasally to infants

measured behaviour + breathing rate

used 7 different substances

areolar gland

Question 5

Aim of Wedekind’s study (2)

Answer 5

investigate if women are more attracted to body odors of men with different MHC genes

hypothesis : difference would increase genetic diversity + offspring immunity

Question 6

Define MHC genes

Answer 6

set of genes responsible for immune system

Question 7

Wedekind Study Participants (3)

Answer 7

44 male + 49 female University of Bern students

wide variance of MHC genes

students likely did not know each other

Question 8

Wedekind Study Procedure (4)

Answer 8

men asked to wear T-shirt for 2 days + keep T-shirt in open plastic bag during day

men asked to avoid detergent, perfume, smoking

women would rank smell of 7 t-shirts

women scored odours for intensity + pleasantless

Question 9

Wedekind Study Results (2)

Answer 9

women scored odours as more pleasant that were different from their MHC

suggests MHC may influence mate choice