Chemosignals communicate human emotions

Psychol Sci. 2012;23(11):1417-24. doi: 10.1177/0956797612445317. Epub 2012 Sep 27.

Abstract

Can humans communicate emotional states via chemical signals? In the experiment reported here, we addressed this question by examining the function of chemosignals in a framework furnished by embodied social communication theory. Following this theory, we hypothesized that the processes a sender experiences during distinctive emotional states are transmitted to receivers by means of the chemicals that the sender produces, thus establishing a multilevel correspondence between sender and receiver. In a double-blind experiment, we examined facial reactions, sensory-regulation processes, and visual search in response to chemosignals. We demonstrated that fear chemosignals generated a fearful facial expression and sensory acquisition (increased sniff magnitude and eye scanning); in contrast, disgust chemosignals evoked a disgusted facial expression and sensory rejection (decreased sniff magnitude, target-detection sensitivity, and eye scanning). These findings underline the neglected social relevance of chemosignals in regulating communicative correspondence outside of conscious access.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Communication
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Facial Expression*
  • Fear / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Olfactory Perception / physiology*
  • Pheromones, Human / physiology*
  • Sweat / physiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Pheromones, Human