| nonverbal_behavior_in_female_perfume_wearers.pdf |
| mood_survey1.pdf |
Summary of “Improvement of nonverbal behavior in Japanese female perfume-wearers”
Rational
Nonverbal communication is a diverse world that encompasses a wide variety of codes. Some are more controllable, natural, or obvious than others, but each plays an important role in our perceptions of ourselves, and the perceptions others form of us. The role of olfactics is an interesting code to study in nonverbal communication. It is not something people usually think about continually throughout the day, unless they meet a scent they do not like. It is often not in the forefront of people’s minds, but still plays a very important role in everyday interactions.
Many people wear perfume to attract others. It is commonly understood that people tend to form positive opinions of people who wear perfume. However, people may wear perfume for another reason, although it is probably unconscious. The study indicates that people who know they are seen in a positive light tend to act kinder toward others. However, they may also be more self conscious, and may change their behavior to seem more attractive to others. This study aimed to investigate the effects of perfume on the wearer, as opposed to on others, as is the common focus of most studies.
Methods
The participants involved in the study consisted of 31 Japanese female students (mean age = 19 years) that were divided into two groups: a perfume group and a non-perfume group. One Japanese female who had been trained as an interviewer asked the participants in front of a video camera 4 blocks of questions that consisted of 10-12 questions each. All of the questions were relatively easy to answer and related to daily life or individual interests. Between the 2nd and 3rd block of questions, the interviewer sprayed the perfume onto the wrist of the participants in the perfume group. The participants were also given a series of assessments in order to measure subjective mood, and personality.
The nonverbal behavior of the participants was assessed by observing the videos of the interview. Observers looked specifically for smiling, eye contact with the interviewer, non-symbolic movement (self-touching, shifting posture, and frequent leg shaking), self confidence, and attractiveness. The observers were not aware that some of the participants put on perfume.
Results
The nonverbal behavior that was shown with the perfume was not significant information to completely prove the study to be completely correct, but it was enough to show slight differences between the people that were introduced to the perfume and the people that were not. The participants of each experimental group were not significantly different in terms of the FC score. These results confirmed that the two experimental groups were homogeneous in terms of personality relating to the nonverbal behaviors in social interactions. The students that showed relatively higher scores in exhibitionism were selected as the participants of the interview task. The researchers expected that the participants would not suffer terrible anxiety in the interview task and would behave freely.
Discussion
The results of the observer rating showed that the interviewees in the perfume group used less non-symbolic movement when wearing perfume. These results suggest that individuals who wear perfume have the potential to improve their visual impression by using less movement that produces negative impressions.
Several types of non-symbolic movement were observed: About 33% was categorized as self-touching. Body parts touched differed from participant to participant, and included the nose, arms, legs, back, and hair. About 55% was categorized as a postural shift and every case except one involved rotating on a swivel chair.
Non-symbolic movement is thought to occur in response to negative states such as stress, anxiety, or embarrassment. Analysis of the subjective mood showed that wearing perfume increased an interviewee’s sense of ‘‘relaxation’’ and ‘‘dominance.’’ Several other factors, such as public self-consciousness or the cultural backgrounds of individuals wearing perfume, may also mediate the observed outcome.
In conclusion, the present study showed the possibility that wearing perfume can improve the wearer’s visual impressions, although several methodological issues limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the observed results. This implies that perfume-wearers do not just emit a pleasant odor to others but enjoy the smell of perfume themselves, resulting in an improvement in their attractiveness.
Reaction
The effects of olfactics are fascinating, and this study proves it. We have heard in class and elsewhere that ‘what smells good must be good.’ We think this aids in reinforcing that concept. When we smell good, others perceive us better than if we smelled bad or had no smell at all. Also, when we like our own smell, it makes us feel more confident, eliminating stress and anxiety. Smell seems like something very minor but it carries a large impact in our own self-image and self-confidence.
References
Higuchi, T., Shoji, K., & Taguchi, S. (2005). Improvement of nonverbal behavior in Japanese female perfume-wearers. International Journal of Psychology, 40, (2), 90-99
Nonverbal communication is a diverse world that encompasses a wide variety of codes. Some are more controllable, natural, or obvious than others, but each plays an important role in our perceptions of ourselves, and the perceptions others form of us. The role of olfactics is an interesting code to study in nonverbal communication. It is not something people usually think about continually throughout the day, unless they meet a scent they do not like. It is often not in the forefront of people’s minds, but still plays a very important role in everyday interactions.
Many people wear perfume to attract others. It is commonly understood that people tend to form positive opinions of people who wear perfume. However, people may wear perfume for another reason, although it is probably unconscious. The study indicates that people who know they are seen in a positive light tend to act kinder toward others. However, they may also be more self conscious, and may change their behavior to seem more attractive to others. This study aimed to investigate the effects of perfume on the wearer, as opposed to on others, as is the common focus of most studies.
Methods
The participants involved in the study consisted of 31 Japanese female students (mean age = 19 years) that were divided into two groups: a perfume group and a non-perfume group. One Japanese female who had been trained as an interviewer asked the participants in front of a video camera 4 blocks of questions that consisted of 10-12 questions each. All of the questions were relatively easy to answer and related to daily life or individual interests. Between the 2nd and 3rd block of questions, the interviewer sprayed the perfume onto the wrist of the participants in the perfume group. The participants were also given a series of assessments in order to measure subjective mood, and personality.
The nonverbal behavior of the participants was assessed by observing the videos of the interview. Observers looked specifically for smiling, eye contact with the interviewer, non-symbolic movement (self-touching, shifting posture, and frequent leg shaking), self confidence, and attractiveness. The observers were not aware that some of the participants put on perfume.
Results
The nonverbal behavior that was shown with the perfume was not significant information to completely prove the study to be completely correct, but it was enough to show slight differences between the people that were introduced to the perfume and the people that were not. The participants of each experimental group were not significantly different in terms of the FC score. These results confirmed that the two experimental groups were homogeneous in terms of personality relating to the nonverbal behaviors in social interactions. The students that showed relatively higher scores in exhibitionism were selected as the participants of the interview task. The researchers expected that the participants would not suffer terrible anxiety in the interview task and would behave freely.
Discussion
The results of the observer rating showed that the interviewees in the perfume group used less non-symbolic movement when wearing perfume. These results suggest that individuals who wear perfume have the potential to improve their visual impression by using less movement that produces negative impressions.
Several types of non-symbolic movement were observed: About 33% was categorized as self-touching. Body parts touched differed from participant to participant, and included the nose, arms, legs, back, and hair. About 55% was categorized as a postural shift and every case except one involved rotating on a swivel chair.
Non-symbolic movement is thought to occur in response to negative states such as stress, anxiety, or embarrassment. Analysis of the subjective mood showed that wearing perfume increased an interviewee’s sense of ‘‘relaxation’’ and ‘‘dominance.’’ Several other factors, such as public self-consciousness or the cultural backgrounds of individuals wearing perfume, may also mediate the observed outcome.
In conclusion, the present study showed the possibility that wearing perfume can improve the wearer’s visual impressions, although several methodological issues limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the observed results. This implies that perfume-wearers do not just emit a pleasant odor to others but enjoy the smell of perfume themselves, resulting in an improvement in their attractiveness.
Reaction
The effects of olfactics are fascinating, and this study proves it. We have heard in class and elsewhere that ‘what smells good must be good.’ We think this aids in reinforcing that concept. When we smell good, others perceive us better than if we smelled bad or had no smell at all. Also, when we like our own smell, it makes us feel more confident, eliminating stress and anxiety. Smell seems like something very minor but it carries a large impact in our own self-image and self-confidence.
References
Higuchi, T., Shoji, K., & Taguchi, S. (2005). Improvement of nonverbal behavior in Japanese female perfume-wearers. International Journal of Psychology, 40, (2), 90-99
