Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Olfactory Psychophysics

  • Chapter
Olfaction

Part of the book series: Handbook of Sensory Physiology ((1730,volume 4 / 1))

Abstract

Psychophysics is the quantitative study of the relationship between stimuli and sensations obtained in experiments with human and animal subjects. It has always been an interdisciplinary field and is as much part of physiology as of psychology. Without physiology, psychophysics is the study of a “black box,” and without psychophysics, sensory physiology would only have subjective notions about the behavioral operating characteristics of sensory systems. The limitation of psychophysics in this respect is that it represents only a molar approach which cannot distinguish between the effects of odorants on the fifth, ninth, and tenth cranial nerves. Animal psychophysics is able to provide greater physiological precision by surgical removal of other sensory systems, but the present chapter must be limited to recent data and concepts developed on human observers.

This chapter was written while the author was supported by a Public Health Service Fellowship (1-F3-MH-39, 236–01) from the Behavioral Sciences Institute of Mental Health.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Amoore, J. E.: Psychophysics of odor. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 30, 623–637 (1965).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amoore, J. E., Venstrom, D.: Sensory analysis of odor qualities in terms of the stereochemical theory. J. Food Sci. 31, 118–128 (1966).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beets, M. G. J.: A molecular approach to olfaction. In: Ariels, E. J. (Ed.): Molecular pharmacology. New York: Academic Press 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beidler, L. M.: Facts and theory on the mechanism of taste and odor perception. In: Mitchell, J. H., Jr., et al. (Eds.): Chemistry of natural food flavors. Washington, D. C.: Quartermaster Food Container Institute for the Armed Forces 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bienfang, R.: Dimensional characterization of odors. Chronica Botanica 6, 249–250 (1941).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cain, W. S.: Olfactory adaptation and direct scaling of odor intensity. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, Brown University 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cain, W. S., Engen, T.: Olfactory adaptation and the scaling of odor intensity: In: Pfaffmann, C. (Ed.). Olfaction and Taste. New York: The Rockefeller University Press 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheesman, G. H., Townsend, M. J.: Further experiments on the olfactory thresholds of pure chemical substances, using the ‘sniff-bottle method’. Quart. J. exp. Psychol. 8, 8–14 (1956).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comrey, A. L.: The minimum residual method of factor analysis. Psychol. Rep. 11, 15–18 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Coombs, C. H.: A theory of data. New York: Wiley 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbit, T. E.: Facilitation of olfactory signal detection by cross-adaptation. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, Brown University 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbit, T. E.: Unpublished data, Brown University 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Døving, K. B.: Analysis of odour similarities from electrophysiological data. Acta physiol. scand. 68, 404–418 (1966a).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Døving, K. B.: An electrophysiological study of odour similarities of homologous substances. J. Physiol. 186, 97–109 (1966b).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Døving, K. B., Lange, A. L.: Comparative studies of sensory relatedness of odours. Scand. J. Psychol. 8, 47–51 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, G.: Weber’s law and related functions. J. Psychol. 47, 343–352 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, G.: A direct method for multidimensional ratio scaling. Psychometrika 28, 33–41 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, G.: Comparative studies on multidimensional scaling and related techniques. In: Pawlik, K. (Ed.), Perspectives in multivariate psychological research. Stuttgart-Bern: Huber (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, G., Berglund, B., Berglund, U., Lindvall, T.: Perceived intensity of odor as a function of time of adaptation. Scand. J. Psychol. 1967, 177–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, G., Engen, T.: Multidimensional ratio scaling and multidimensional similarity in olfactory perception. Rep. Psychol. Lab., Univer. Stockholm, 1962, No. 126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, G., Fröberg, J., Frankenhaeuser, M.: Temporal integration of perceptual response to supraliminal electrical stimulation. Scand. J. Psychol. 9, 83–88 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T.: Cross-adaptation to the aliphatic alcohols. Amer. J. Psychol. 76, 96–102 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T.: Psychological scaling of odor intensity and quality. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 116, 504–516 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T.: Psychophysical analysis of the odor intensity of homologous alcohols. J. exp. Psychol. 70, 611–616 (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T.: Man’s ability to perceive odors. In: Moulton, D. G., Johnston, J. W., Jr., Turk, A. (Eds.). Advance in chemoreception: Vol. 1. Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T.: Discrimination and detection (Ch. II) and Scaling methods (Ch. III). In: Kling, J. W., Riggs, L. A. (Eds.), Woodworth, and Schlosberg’s Experimental psychology. Third edition. Holt, Binehart and Winston, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T., Bosack, T. N.: Facilitation in olfactory detection by human neonates. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 68, 320–326 (1969).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T., Cain, W. S., Kovee, C. K.: Comparison of olfaction in the newborn infant and the adult human observer. In: Tanyolac, N. (Ed.). Theories of odors and odor measurement. New York: Spartan Books 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T., Lindström, C. O.: Psychophysical scales of the odor intensity of amyl acetate. Scand. J. Psychol. 4, 23–28 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T., McBurney, D. H.: Magnitude and category scales of the pleasantness of odors. J. exp. Psychol. 68, 435–440 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fechner, G. T.: Elemente der Psychophysik. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, 1860. English translation of Vol. 1 by Adler, H. D. (Howes, D. H., Boring, E. G. Eds.). Holt Rinehart and Winston 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, D. M., Swets, J. A.: Signal detection theory and psychophysics. New York: Wiley 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harman, H.: Modern factor analysis. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, E., Bate-Smith, B. C., Land, D. G.: Odour description and odour classification. London: Churchill 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, F.: Olfactory absolute thresholds and their implication for the nature of the receptor process. J. Psychol. 40, 223–227 (1955).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, F. N.: Scales of subjective intensity of odors of diverse chemical nature. Amer. J. Psychol. 1958a, 305–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, F. N.: Subjective scales of intensity for three odors. Amer. J. Psychol. 71, 423–425 (1958b).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krttskal, J. B.: Multidimensional scaling by optimizing goodness of fit to a nonmetric hypothesis. Psychometrika 29, 1–27 (1964a).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kruskal, J. B.: Multidimensional scaling: a numerical method. Psychometrika 29,115–129 (1964b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Köster, E. P.: Recovery of olfactory sensitivity after adaptation. In: Tanyolac, N. (Ed.). Theories of odors and odor measurement. New York: Spartan Books 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • LeMagnen, J.: Analyses d’ odeurs complexes et homolugues par fatigue. C. R. Acad. Sci. 226, 753–754 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moncrieff, R. W.: The chemical senses. London: Leonard Hill Limited 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moncrieff, R. W.: Olfactory adaptation and odor likeness. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 133, 301–316 (1956).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moncrieff, R. W.: Olfactory adaptation and odor-intensity. Amer. J. Psychol. 70, 1–20 (1957).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moulton, D. G., Eayrs.: Studies in olfactory acuity. II. Relative detectability of n-aliphatic alcohols by the rat. Quart. J. Psychol. 12, 99–109 (1960).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mozell, M. M.: The spatiotemporal analysis of odorants at the level of the olfactory receptor sheet. J. gen. Physiol. 50, 25–41 (1966).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mozell, M. M.: Olfaction. In: Kling, J. W., Riggs, L. A. (Eds.), Wood worth and Schlosberg’s Experimental psychology, Third edition. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ottoson, D.: Analysis of the electrical activity of the olfactory epithelium. Acta physiol. scand. 35, Suppl. 122, 1–83 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfaffmann, C.: Taste and smell. In: Stevens, S. W. (Ed.): Handbook of experimental psychology. New York: Wiley 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reese, T. S., Stevens, S. S.: Subjective intensity of coffee odor. Amer. J. Psychol. 73, 424–428 (1960).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schutz, H. G.: A matching-standards method for characterizing odor qualities. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 116, 517–526 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Semb, G. B.: An analysis of the detectability of the odor of butanol using two psychophysical methods. Unpublished Sc. M. Thesis, Brown University 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, R. N.: The analysis of proximities: Multidimensional scaling with an unknown distance function. I. Psychometrika 27, 125–140 (1962a).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, R. N.: The analysis of proximities: Multidimensional scaling with an unknown distance function. II. Psychometrika 27, 219–246 (1962b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, R. N.: Attention and the metric structure of the stimulus space. J. math. Psychol. 1, 54–87 (1964).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slosson, E. E.: A lecture experiment in hallucinations. Psychol. Rev. 6, 407–408 (1899).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, J. C., Stevens, S. S.: Brightness function: effects of adaptation. J. opt. Soc. Amer. 53, 375–385 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, S. S.: On the psychophysical law. Psychol. Rev. 64, 153–191 (1957).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • , S. S.: On the operation known as judgment. Amer. Sci. 54, 385–401 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, H.: Techniques for odor measurement: Olfactometric vs. sniffing. J. Food Sci. 28, 719–725 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, H.: Factors influencing behavioral responses to odor discrimination — a review. J. Food Sci. 31, 784–790 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, H., Bosley, J. J.: Olfactory discrimination and Weber’s law. Percept. mot. Skills. 20, 657–665. (1965).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • , M.: Biophysics of the sense of smell. Doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Groningen 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torgerson, W. S.: Theory and methods of scaling. New York: Wiley 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, D.: Physical variables in the olfactory stimulation process. J. gen. Physiol. 46, 453–489 (1963).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • von Békésy, G.: Olfactory analogue to directional hearing. J. appl. Physiol. 19, 369–373 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • von Sydow, E.: A comparison of psychophysical and electrophysiological data for some odor substances. In: Tanyolac, N. (Ed.): Theories of odors and odor measurement. New York: Spartan Books 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodrow, H. F., Karpman, B.: A new olfactometric technique and some results. J. exp. Psychol. 2, 431–447 (1917).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woskow, H. M.: Multidimensional scaling of odors. In: Tanyolac, N. (Ed.): Theories of odors and odor measurement. New York: Spartan Books 1968.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Trygg Engen

Authors
  1. Trygg Engen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Lloyd M. Beidler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1971 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Engen, T. (1971). Olfactory Psychophysics. In: Beidler, L.M. (eds) Olfaction. Handbook of Sensory Physiology, vol 4 / 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65126-7_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65126-7_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-65128-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-65126-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation