Semantic knowledge influences prewired hedonic responses to odors

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Odor hedonic perception integrates physicochemical properties of odorants with semantic knowledge.
• The influence of semantic knowledge on hedonic processing across the lifespan is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how semantic knowledge affects odor hedonic perception across different age groups.
• To determine the relative contributions of physicochemical properties and semantic knowledge to odor hedonics throughout life.

Main Methods:

• Hedonic responses to odors were measured in children, teenagers, young adults, and seniors.
• Analysis focused on the correlation between odorant physicochemical properties, semantic knowledge, and hedonic ratings within each age group.

Main Results:

• Children and seniors, with limited semantic odor knowledge, relied more on physicochemical properties for hedonic judgments.
• Teenagers and young adults, possessing stronger semantic odor representations, showed a reduced reliance on physicochemical properties.
• The influence of physicochemical properties on odor hedonics varied significantly across the lifespan.

Conclusions:

• Biological determinants of odor pleasantness/unpleasantness are most potent at the beginning and end of life.
• Semantic knowledge plays a modulating role in odor hedonic perception, with its influence varying by age.
• These findings highlight the dynamic interplay between innate biological responses and learned semantic associations in shaping sensory perception over time.