Pheromones

Pheromone

Chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behaviour or physiology of others of its own species

What are the two types of pheromones?

Primer and Signaling

Primer pheromones

Cause slow, long-term physiological changes, such as hormonal effects

Signaling pheromones

Produce rapid behavioral effects, such as mating

Androstadienone (AND)

Found in male semen and sweat

Estratetraenol (EST)

Found in female urine

Menstrual synchronicity

The phenomenon where the menstrual cycles of women living in close proximity synchronize over time

Zhou et al, 2014 Aim

How does smelling specific male and female pheromones impact perception of femininity and masculinity (behavior)

Zhou et al, 2014 Method

Experiment

Zhou et al, 2014 Procedure

Watch stick figures → determine gender

Three conditions Cloves (control), Cloves with androstadienone (Male), Cloves with estratetraenol (Female)

Zhou et al, 2014 Results

AND: More Masculine

EST: More Feminine

heterosexual females & gay males

heterosexual males and lesbian women

Zhou et al, 2014 Conclusion

pheromones influence communication of gender information in a sex-specific manner

Lundstrom and Olsson, 2005 Aim

study the effects of androstadienone (AND) on women's attraction/mood in the presence of men

Lundstrom and Olsson, 2005 Method

experiment (2x2: 2-IVs and 2 levels)

sample: 37 heterosexual women, mean age 25, normal menstruation

Lundstrom and Olsson, 2005 Procedure

Control solution or androstadienone (AND)

Presence of male (age 30) or female experimenter (age 28)

Data collected through questionnaire

Lundstrom and Olsson, 2005 Results

Women's positive mood increased in the presence of male, not female

Lundstrom and Olsson, 2005 Conclusion

androstadienone (AND) increases a woman's mood → signaling sexual attraction → evidence of pheromones influencing behavior

Hare et al, 2017 Aim

Investigate the impact of EST or AND on mate perception (level of attractiveness & gender)

Hare et al, 2017 Results

No difference in average attractiveness rating

Morphed pictures to be gender neutral

Hare et al, 2017 Conclusion

AND and EST do not change behavior

Cutler et al, 1998 Aim

synthesized human pheromone can increase sociosexual behavior of men

Cutler et al, 1998 Method

Field Experiment

Sample: Men: 25-42, good health, regular appearance

Cutler et al, 1998 Procedure

(aftershave + male pheromone)

Establish baseline and then add pheromone or ethanol

Calendar used to measure six behaviors

Cutler et al, 1998 Results

Increase in sociosexual behaviors (includes willingness of a female partner)

Cutler et al, 1998 Conclusion

Synthetic human pheromone increased the attractiveness factor, not just the libido

McCoy and Pitino, 2002 Aim

Study examining the effects of female pheromone in perfume on women's sexual attraction to men

McCoy and Pitino, 2002 Conclusion

synthesized pheromone increased sexual attraction of women to men

Oxytocin

Hormone released in response to specific pheromonal cues, increasing feelings of trust and affection

Criticism of pheromone research

Bias (commercial interests)

Population validity

Participant bias/demand characteristics

Internal validity

Construct validity

Replicability