A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that a person’s natural scent, combined with products like deodorant or perfume, plays a significant role in determining who we feel drawn to as friends. The research suggests that our brains form emotional associations with smell during social bonding, which can be stronger than the initial impression made by appearance.
The study, conducted with 40 female participants aged 18-30, involved a “speed-friending” experiment where participants wore plain cotton t-shirts for approximately 12 hours while using their regular deodorant and perfume. The participants then smelled and rated these shirts before engaging in four-minute face-to-face conversations with different partners. The results showed that both visual cues (from photographs) and olfactory cues (from the t-shirts) independently predicted friendship potential ratings following live interactions.
However, the quality of the live interaction predicted changes in how participants rated the same person’s diplomatic odor afterward, suggesting that our noses silently guide who we befriend. This challenge conventional wisdom about first impressions, which typically emphasizes visual cues like facial features and expressions.
The study found that everyday smells play an active role in how we decide who we like, with personal preferences driving friendship formation more than generally agreed-upon characteristics. The researchers also noted that the use of deodorant and fragranced products is common among American women but might differ in other cultures.
While the study has limitations, including its narrow age range and experimental design, it provides valuable insights into the complex role of scent in social bonding and friendship formation. By trusting our gut feelings about new acquaintances, we may be more likely to form meaningful relationships based on a biological evaluation system that is millions of years in the making.
Source: https://studyfinds.org/how-someone-smells-friendship