Pheromones (Wedekind)

Question 1

Introduction (Pheromones differentiate from hormones as they are…)

Answer 1

Pheromones differentiate from hormones as they are chemicals released into the environment that can influence behavior from the respective species (seen within animals eg. “ecto-hormones” a form of invisible communication or signal that can lead to mating or warn danger)

However, there is no chemical that has been IDENTIFIED specifically as a human pheromone as behavior such as mating are influenced also by cog and sociocultural factors + we have no organ that can detect pheromones; thus, it is hypothesized that humans may not have pheromones (explored in Wedekind’s study)

Question 2

Wedekind Aim

Answer 2

Studied Major Histocompatibility Complex (genes that play a role in the immune sytem). MHC Genes make MOLECULES that allow the immune system to recognize pathogens (more diverse = healthier offspring) — the aim is to DIVERSIFY MHC Genes, so we gravitate to breed w those who have different ones

Wedekind explores whether our “smell” or our MHC can incite attraction between a woman and man through asking them to smell t-shirts.

Question 3

Wedekind Procedure

Answer 3

49 female and 44 male students from a university in Switzerland with a variety of MHC in the sample.

1. Men asked to wear a shirt for two nights - avoided any perfumes or other smells that may influence that smell
2. Woman asked to rank smell of 7 shirts in a “blind” judgement (tested during menstruation when smell was most sensitive, used a nose spray for 2 weeks to regenerate the membrane)
3. 3/7 boxes contained MHC similar to the women, the rest were dissimilar, and one unworn as control

Question 4

Wedekind Procedure

Answer 4

49 female and 44 male students from a university in Switzerland with a variety of MHC in the sample.

1. Men asked to wear a shirt for two nights - avoided any perfumes or other smells that may influence that smell
2. Woman asked to rank smell of 7 shirts in a “blind” judgement (tested during menstruation when smell was most sensitive, used a nose spray for 2 weeks to regenerate the membrane)
3. 3/7 boxes contained MHC similar to the women, the rest were dissimilar, and one unworn as control

Question 5

Wedekind findings

Answer 5

Shirts with a DIFFERENT MHC were percieved as more pleasant

Question 6

Wedekind Link to Pheromones

Answer 6

Smell of more dissimilar MHC draws human to choose their mate