[Psychological classification and significance of odors]

The description of odors by basic sensual qualities proves to be rather difficult, as olfaction is a very complex matter that allows no simple schematization. While physiologists try to discover the biological bases of olfaction, psychologists consider the possibility of grouping odors by their perceptual qualities. Recent studies have shown that pleasantness is a basic dimension in judging odors. The present study was carried out to break pleasantness down to its various aspects, and thus to give a description of the very properties that make a pleasant odor smell pleasant. Sixty women and 40 men judged 10 odors by a list of 14 properties on rating scales. Significant correlations occurred between the average profiles of pleasant smells, characterizing them as mild, bright, conventional, harmonious, warm, clean, and soft. Unpleasant smells with their average profiles also highly correlated were often said to be pungent, dark, exciting, heavy, cold, hard, and disharmonious. All properties used on the list proved to be suitable for odor judging. The possibility of characterizing pleasant odors as well as unpleasant odors (despite their perception qualities) by elaborated profiles containing the various aspects of pleasantness is discussed.