Dirty smell reduces sexual arousal
Delivering a disgusting odour reduces sexual arousal in men. This is shown in a recent study by the University of Groningen that was recently published in PLOS ONE. Subjects were exposed to a disgusting odour while watching a pornographic video. As a result, sexual arousal decreased significantly. According to researcher Charmaine Borg, the research shows that delivery of a disgusting odour may also be used as a method of self-defense to avert unwanted sexual approach.
Background
The generation or persistence of sexual arousal may be compromised when inhibitory processes such as negative emotions, outweigh sexual excitation. Disgust particularly, has been proposed as one of the emotions that may counteract sexual arousal. In support of this view, previous research has shown that disgust priming can reduce subsequent sexual arousal. As a crucial next step, this experimental study tested whether disgust (by means of odor) can also diminish sexual arousal in individuals who are already in a state of heightened sexual excitation.
Methodology
In this study, participants were all men (N = 78). To elicit sexual arousal, participants watched a pornographic video. Following 4.30 minutes from the start of the video clip, they were exposed to either a highly aversive/disgusting odor (n = 42), or an odorless diluent/solvent (n = 36), that was delivered via an olfactometer, while the pornographic video continued. In both conditions the presentation of the odor lasted 1 second and was repeated 11 times with intervals of 26 seconds. Sexual arousal was indexed by both self-reports and penile circumference.
Principal findings
The disgusting odor (released when the participants were already sexually aroused) resulted in a significant decrease of both subjective and genital sexual arousal compared to the control (odorless) condition.
Significance
The finding that the inhibitory effect of disgust was not only expressed in self-report but also expressed on the penile response further strengthens the idea that disgust might hamper behavioral actions motivated by sexual arousal (e.g., poor judgment, coercive sexual behavior). Thus, the current findings indicate that exposure to an aversive odor is sufficiently potent to reduce already present (subjective and) genital sexual arousal. This finding may also have practical relevance for disgust to be used as a tool for self-defence (e.g., Invi Bracelet).
More information
- Dr. C. (Charmaine) Borg: +31 50 363 2980 (only in English)
- Prof. dr. P.J. (Peter) de Jong: 050 36 36403 (Nederlands / English)
- Borg C, Oosterwijk TA, Lisy D, Boesveldt S, de Jong PJ (2019) The influence of olfactory disgust on (Genital) sexual arousal in men. PLOS ONE 14(2): e0213059. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213059
Last modified: | 13 March 2019 09.46 a.m. |
More news
-
01 May 2024
Behavioral Scientist Carsten de Dreu Appointed as Professor at the University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is pleased to announce the appointment of renowned social and behavioral scientist Carsten de Dreu as research professor at the UG.
-
09 April 2024
Kirsten van den Bosch: 'Connecting students with the work field really is achievable in every programme'
Dr Kirsten van den Bosch en her team won the Best Practice Award 2024 with their initiative to connect students with organizations to solve real problems within Academic Learning Communities.
-
03 April 2024
Research: much stress among Groningers due to gas extraction issues, including among the elderly
The gas extraction issue still has its effect on people in Groningen. Questionnaire research shows that people who had multiple instances of damage to their homes have increasingly poor health. In addition, interviews with elderly people show a...