Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
Published on: April 23, 2019
Agreeable smellers and sensitive neurotics--correlations among personality traits and sensory thresholds
Ilona Croy1, Maria Springborn, Jörn Lötsch
1Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany. ilona.croy@tu-dresden.de
Abstract:
Correlations between personality traits and a wide range of sensory thresholds were examined. Participants (N = 124) completed a personality inventory (NEO-FFI) and underwent assessment of olfactory, trigeminal, tactile and gustatory detection thresholds, as well as examination of trigeminal and tactile pain thresholds. Significantly enhanced odor sensitivity in socially agreeable people, significantly enhanced trigeminal sensitivity in neurotic subjects, and a tendency for enhanced pain tolerance in highly conscientious participants was revealed. It is postulated that varied sensory processing may influence an individual's perception of the environment; particularly their perception of socially relevant or potentially dangerous stimuli and thus, varied with personality.
Related Concept Videos
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
The olfactory...
Tactile and Chemical Senses
Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Sensation
Absolute thresholds can quantify the sensitivity of sensory...

