The Role of Pheromones in Human Behavior

Pheromones

Chemical substances released by the body that affect the behaviour or physiology of others in the same species, often linked to mating and social communication.

Proposed role of pheromones in human behaviour

Pheromones are thought to influence attraction, sexual perception, and mate selection, although their role in humans is controversial and not fully confirmed.

Aim of Zhou et al. (2014)

To investigate whether the steroids AND (found in male sweat) and EST (found in female urine) influence human sexual perception.

Procedure in Zhou et al. (2014)

Participants (heterosexual and homosexual men and women) were asked to determine the gender of stick figures walking in place on a screen, while being exposed to either AND, EST, or a control substance.

Results of Zhou et al. (2014)

AND biased heterosexual women and homosexual men to perceive the stick figures as more masculine; EST biased heterosexual men to perceive figures as more feminine.

Conclusion of Zhou et al. (2014)

AND and EST may act as human pheromones, influencing sexual perception based on the participant's sexual orientation.

Strengths of Zhou et al. (2014)

Double-blind design reduces bias; supports the idea that chemosignals influence social and sexual perception in humans.

Limitations of Zhou et al. (2014)

Effects were subtle; the stick figure task is artificial; it's unclear if AND/EST qualify as true human pheromones.

Aim of Wedekind et al. (1995)

To determine whether MHC genes (related to immune system diversity) influence female mate preference through scent.

Procedure in Wedekind et al. (1995)

44 men wore the same T-shirt for two nights. 49 women (not on birth control) rated the scent of the shirts for pleasantness, without knowing the identity of the men. MHC similarity was later compared.

Results of Wedekind et al. (1995)

Women preferred the scent of men with MHC genes dissimilar to their own, suggesting a preference for genetic compatibility.

Conclusion of Wedekind et al. (1995)

Human mate preferences may be influenced by scent cues linked to genetic makeup, supporting the role of pheromones in mate selection.

Strengths of Wedekind et al. (1995)

Realistic task (body odor); controlled for confounding factors (diet, cologne, etc.); strong biological basis for mate selection.

Limitations of Wedekind et al. (1995)

Low ecological validity (smelling T-shirts isn't typical mating behaviour); doesn't isolate specific pheromones; menstrual cycle effects could vary.

Extent of pheromones influence on human behaviour

Pheromones may influence behaviour to a limited extent, particularly in mate preference and sexual perception, but their effects are often subtle and context-dependent.

Major issue in human pheromone research

The existence of true pheromones in humans is still debated, as humans lack a fully functioning vomeronasal system, which animals use to detect pheromones.

Generalization of pheromone study results

Individual differences such as sexual orientation, genetics, and culture can affect responses to scent-based cues, limiting the universality of findings.

Importance of considering other factors in human behaviour

Human attraction and behaviour are also influenced by cognitive, emotional, and social factors — not just biological signals like pheromones.

Fair conclusion about the role of pheromones in humans

Pheromones may contribute to human behaviour, but they are only one piece of a complex puzzle involving multiple interacting systems.

Overall conclusion of the ERQ

Pheromones likely play a minor role in human behaviour, particularly in mate selection and sexual perception, but the evidence is mixed and their existence in humans remains debated.