Most people are unaware of the powerful influence of olfaction, our sense of smell, in daily life. We take this sensory experience for granted because we depend so much on our other senses, especially sight and hearing, to provide us with information about our world. Not only does olfaction convey information about persons and situations, it also frequently triggers emotional responses. For example, a newborn infant quickly learns to recognize its mother by her smell, and a person or place that has an appealing fragrance can elicit a sense of happiness or calm. Our sense of smell lets us know whether food is fit to eat or spoiled, and alerts us to the danger of fire when we smell smoke. Doctors can even use their sense of smell to diagnose illness.
In this Psychology Place feature you will first learn about the structure and operation of the olfactory system. Then you will explore the experience of olfaction and survey how it affects human activities. To engage in some of the activities in this module you will need some supplies:
- Flavorful food items, e.g., a lifesaver, a piece of chewing gum, or a piece of pizza
- Cubes of peeled apple and potato
- Substances with strong and clearly identifiable odors, e.g., cologne, aftershave
- Slices of orange and lemon (adaptation activity), and two plates or paper towels
Anatomy: Structure of the Olfactory System
