The Everyday Sense of Smell
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Questions and Answers

What happens when the brain recognizes a smell as good?

  • It associates the object with something desirable. (correct)
  • It causes confusion about the object.
  • It creates a sense of urgency.
  • It triggers a response to reject the object.

During which stage of development do individuals start to associate smells with social desirability?

  • Childhood (correct)
  • Adulthood
  • Infancy
  • Adolescence

What is NOT a characteristic of the sense of smell as described in the content?

  • It triggers biological responses.
  • It is most useful in social perception of art. (correct)
  • It involves sensory cells in the nose.
  • It has a social basis in determining desirability.

What role do deodorants play in the context of smell?

<p>They correct undesirable body odors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In adolescence, which of the following smells is associated with the experience of growing up?

<p>Menstruation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the act of smelling relate to societal standards?

<p>It can signify either acceptance or rejection in society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reaction of infants towards smells?

<p>Association of excrement with something undesirable. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of products are used to regulate smells in society?

<p>Personal washing liquids (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about capitalist products in relation to consumer preferences?

<p>They aim to enhance the experience of selling products. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following smells is typically associated with low-class experiences?

<p>The smell of sweat (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of smell, what is meant by 'gendered' experiences?

<p>Smells perceived as feminine or masculine. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is smell often racialized in society?

<p>Through the privileging of whiteness in smell preferences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors overdetermine the concept of 'Smell of Home'?

<p>Class, gender, sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, and generational backgrounds. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following smells would likely be deemed illegal in many societies?

<p>The smell of marijuana (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'ethnicized' when discussing smell?

<p>The association of certain smells with cultural or ethnic identities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of high-end smells in societal hierarchy?

<p>They represent the privilege associated with wealth and status. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes 'bayan' from 'bansa'?

<p>Bayan signifies place of origin, while bansa signifies a nation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of olfactory receptor cells?

<p>They detect olfactory stimuli in the nasal cavity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the habituation process in olfactory perception?

<p>The capacity to distinguish odors diminishes after prolonged exposure. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many primary odors are identified in human olfactory perception?

<p>Seven primary odors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor affects individual odor feelings?

<p>Gender, age, health, and personal history. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable difference between olfactory receptor genes in humans and mice?

<p>Humans have 350 functional olfactory receptor genes compared to 1,300 in mice. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what aspect do pregnant women exhibit changes regarding smell?

<p>They show an increase in smell sensitivity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the olfactory bulb do?

<p>It serves as a relay station between the nose and olfactory cortex. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Classen suggest about the role of smell in society?

<p>Smell is a pivotal index of moral, racial, and ethnic class. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Oriental Express' in the context of the content?

<p>A nickname for the Number 7 Train reflecting its diverse aromas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the description, what quality did Teresa of Avila possess?

<p>Her fragrance was so powerful that it scented everything she touched. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'odor of sanctity' imply in Christianity?

<p>Christians living in grace would be infused with the divine scent of the Holy Spirit. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Marcel Proust's work relates to memory?

<p>Memory can be recalled through scents and contexts experienced. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unique perspective did Helen Keller have regarding smell?

<p>Smell became a heightened sense due to her disabilities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does McPhee characterize US culture as?

<p>A deodorized culture that avoids strong odors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significance do odors have according to Howes?

<p>There is a universal association between olfaction and transition. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sense of Smell

A chemosensory phenomenon where specialized sensory cells (olfactory sensory neurons) in the nose send signals to the brain.

Social Basis of Smell

Our brains are trained to associate smells with desirability or undesirability based on social standards.

Smell's Role in Art Perception

Smell is generally considered the least useful sense in judging art.

Smell and Social Hierarchies

Smell is judged and ranked by social standards. Some smells are considered acceptable based on a person's socioeconomic status or ethnicity, others are considered undesirable.

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Smell and Infant Development

Infants react differently to smells. They dislike excrement and prefer sweet smells, indicating an early form of social conditioning.

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Smell and Teenagers

Teenagers' perceptions of smell are affected by their social group and body changes like menstruation.

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Smell and Adulthood

In adulthood, smells are strongly linked to social experiences like intimacy and illness.

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Smell-controlling Products

Products like deodorants and feminine hygiene products are used to manage body odor, influencing social acceptance

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Smell regulation by state

Society's odors are influenced and controlled by larger governmental powers.

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Capitalist products and smell

Products are designed to influence consumer preferences and generate profit, often manipulating smells.

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Low-class smells

Smells associated with working-class environments and daily life (e.g., manure, sweat).

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High-end sector smells

Expensive or exclusive smells like perfumes, designer items, associated with wealth and luxury.

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Gendered smells

Smells are culturally assigned to genders (e.g., citrus - feminine, musk - masculine).

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Racialized smells

Smells linked to particular races, with privileged smells linked to whiteness and others potentially linked to working-class or indigenous cultures.

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Smell and religion

Smells associated with particular religious rituals and holidays (e.g., Catholic rituals).

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Smell and generations

Smell preferences vary across generations, often favoring young people's smells over those of infants or seniors.

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Bayan

A community formed based on shared place and language of origin, often considered more privileged than 'bansa'.

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Olfactory Receptor Cells

Neurons located in the olfactory epithelium (a tissue in the nose) that detect odor molecules and initiate the smell sensation.

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Olfactory Nerve

The nerve that transmits smell signals from the nose to the brain.

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Odor Perception (two-step)

The process of detection of smells with a physiological part (sensing by smell receptors) and a personal perception part (individual reactions related to factors like age, history and health).

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Olfactory Bulb

Part of the brain acting as a relay station, connecting the nose to the olfactory cortex for further processing of smell signals.

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Habituation (Smell)

The decreasing sensitivity to a continuous odor after exposure, making it harder to distinguish.

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Seven Primary Odors

Categorization of odor experience into 7 types (Musky, Putrid, Pungent, Camphoraceous, Ethereal, Floral, Pepperminty) for description and analysis of smell.

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Olfactory Cortex

Area of the brain responsible for processing olfactory (smell) information.

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Immigrant body odor

Immigrant bodies are often perceived as having undesirable smells, often linked to social and cultural judgements.

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Smell and social class

Odors are associated with different social classes, with some considered desirable and others undesirable.

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Oriental Express

A nickname for an enclosed space where smells are intensified, often referring to crowded conditions and sensory experiences.

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Smell of Sanctity

In some religious contexts, a sweet smell is associated with divine grace, signifying the presence of God.

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Teresa of Avila's fragrance

Teresa of Avila emitted a powerful scent, affecting everything she touched.

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Smell & Memory (Proust)

Proust believed that smells can trigger powerful, detailed memories.

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Helen Keller's sense of smell

Helen Keller, despite her disabilities, believed smell played a crucial role in understanding and navigating her world.

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Smell as a Fallen Angel

The concept that some smells are considered undesirable, much like the fallen nature of a once-holy entity.

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Study Notes

The Everyday Sense of Smell

  • Smell is a chemosensory phenomenon
  • Sensory cells (olfactory sensory neurons) are inside the nose
  • These cells release signals to the brain
  • Smells have a social basis
  • The brain is trained to respond to smells
  • If a smell is good, it relaxes and makes the object/surrounding seem desirable
  • Bad smells deem an object undesirable

Child (Smell Control)

  • Play is good
  • Perspiration needs cleansing (bath and soap)
  • Kids experience socially desirable and undesirable smells

Teenager (Smell and Body)

  • Menstruation
  • Body odor
  • Group-specific smells
  • New experiences

Adulthood (Smell and Experience)

  • Intimacy with a partner is good
  • Smell of a baby or sick bed can be meaningful
  • Smell shows how society views desirability

Phenomenology of Smell Experience

  • Smelling involves scientific, biological, and social factors
  • Smell experience combines these factors into a holistic feeling or understanding

Infant to Adulthood

  • Infants cannot detect smell

Odor Control

  • Deodorants control armpit smells, influenced by logical-biological consequences.

Feminine Hygiene Products

  • Regulate the body and society
  • Personal care products used to maintain a fresh feeling

Capitalism and Products

  • Capitalism regulates production and sale of products
  • Products like coffee are examples of capitalist influence
  • The smell of different products has societal meanings and implications

Smells of Different Classes

  • Low-class smells can be associated with bodies, objects, and the environment of working-class people and cultures.

Smell and Ethnicity / Race

  • Smell is closely related to race and ethnicity
  • Privileged whiteness of skin is considered the norm
  • Dark skin is linked to lower social classes
  • Cultural associations influence and shape smell experience

Smell and Religion

  • Smell is tied to religious rituals and holidays (Catholicism), with certain smells associated with different beliefs and practices

Smell of Home

  • Smell is determined by living conditions, and is influenced by class, gender, race, and ethnicity

Illegal Smells

  • Smells such as marijuana and meth are viewed as illegal in many societies

Olfactory Experience

  • Olfactory receptor cells and nerves are involved in odor perception
  • Odorous molecules are chemical stimuli sensed by olfactory receptors
  • The olfactory bulb acts as a relay center
  • Olfactory processes have an impact at multiple levels of human experience

Two-Step Smell Process

  • Physiological detection of stimuli by receptors in the nose is the first step
  • Personal interpretations and experiences related to gender, age, and personal history contribute to the perception of smells

Seven Primary Odors

  • Musky, Putrid, Pungent, Camphoraceous, Ethereal, Floral, and Peppermint are the seven primary odors
  • Women are usually better at identifying odors than men

Heightened Smell for Blind Individuals

  • Navigation and experiencing the world through smell can be amplified for individuals with visual impairments

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CHAPTER 3: Smelling the Everyday Sense of Smell

Description

Explore the fascinating world of smell and its significance from infancy to adulthood. This quiz covers the biological, social, and phenomenological aspects of olfaction, highlighting how smell influences our experiences and interactions. Challenge your knowledge on how different life stages perceive and respond to odors.

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