Pheromones Flashcards
What are pheromones?
Pheromones are chemical substances produced and released into the environment that cause a behavioural or physiological response, in other members of the species. Pheromones are difficult to detect, because they are released in small amounts, so a human pheromone is yet to be identified.
What are the 2 human pheromones and where can they be found?
Two potential human pheromones are Androstadienone (AND), found in male semen and sweat and Estratetraenol (EST), which is found in female urine.
What is the aim of Zhou et al’s 2014 study?
To see if these substances influenced human sexual behaviour.
What is the procedure of Zhou’s study?
The sample of this study was made up of 96 participants- 24 heterosexual men, 24 heterosexual women, 24 gay men and 24 lesbian women.
In the experiment, participants were asked to watch stick figures walking on a screen and to determine their gender. While carrying out the task, the participants were exposed to the smell of cloves. In the first condition, the cloves were mixed with AND. In the second condition, the cloves were mixed with EST. In the control condition, only cloves were used.
What is the findings of Zhou’s study?
Showed that smelling AND biased heterosexual females and gay men, but not heterosexual males, toward perceiving the walkers as more masculine.
By contrast, smelling EST systematically biases heterosexual males and lesbian women toward perceiving the walkers as more feminine.
What is the conclusions of Zhou’s study?
The researchers concluded that pheromones influence communication of gender information in a sex-specific manner.
What is the limitations of Zhou’s study?
First, the participants were exposed to very high levels of the pheromones, it is unclear that this response would happen in a naturalistic setting.
Secondly, although they identified the figure as masculine or feminine, this is not clear study of sexual odour but rather if participants perceived a person’s walk as feminine or masculine.
Finally, the study is done on a relatively small sample.
What is the limitations of Zhou’s study?
First, the participants were exposed to very high levels of the pheromones, it is unclear that this response would happen in a naturalistic setting.
Secondly, although they identified the figure as masculine or feminine, this is not clear study of sexual odour but rather if participants perceived a person’s walk as feminine or masculine.
Finally, the study is done on a relatively small sample.
What is the aim of McClintok’s 1971 study?
To prove a phenomenon known as ‘menstrual synchronicity’.
Procedure of McClintok’s study?
McClintock studied 135 female residents of a college dormitory.
She used questionnaires to determine the onset date of menstruation among roommates and close friends.
Findings of McClintok’s study?
The date showed a significant increase in synchronisation of onset dates over time.
Conclusions of McClintok’s study?
There has been no support for the findings of this study.
Two other researchers have tried to replicate McClintock’s study- Trevathan et al (1993) and Yang & Shank (2006).
They found no evidence of synchronicity.
Limitations of McClintok’s study?
In reviewing McClintock’s study, her results were not statistically significant and therefore, were due to chance.
