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Chapter 7. Knowing what we smell

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Abstract

In this chapter, we review the nature of, and performance levels for, odor source naming, and the different proposed explanations to the generally low odor naming performance observed in experimental studies. We differentiate between odor naming and odor identification and show that although humans can rarely name more than 50% of common household items, this is not an odor naming problem, but rather reflects the difficulty we have in identifying odors. We investigate two broad accounts of odor identification failures in terms of perceptual and associative processes necessary for correct identification. Additionally, we discuss the feeling of knowing and tip of the nose experience commonly associated with identification failures. This type of metacognition provides us with odor knowledge in the absence of odor identification. In light of these phenomena, we discuss the importance of odor identification for olfactory functioning.

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the nature of, and performance levels for, odor source naming, and the different proposed explanations to the generally low odor naming performance observed in experimental studies. We differentiate between odor naming and odor identification and show that although humans can rarely name more than 50% of common household items, this is not an odor naming problem, but rather reflects the difficulty we have in identifying odors. We investigate two broad accounts of odor identification failures in terms of perceptual and associative processes necessary for correct identification. Additionally, we discuss the feeling of knowing and tip of the nose experience commonly associated with identification failures. This type of metacognition provides us with odor knowledge in the absence of odor identification. In light of these phenomena, we discuss the importance of odor identification for olfactory functioning.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of contributors ix
  4. Foreword xi
  5. Preface xv
  6. Acknowledgments xix
  7. Part I. Perception, psychophysics and odour environment
  8. Chapter 1. Is there a measurement system for odour quality? 3
  9. Chapter 2. There’s something in the air 23
  10. Chapter 3. Psychophysical evaluation of pain and olfaction 39
  11. Chapter 4. Olfactory comfort in close relationships 59
  12. Chapter 5. Olfactory perception 73
  13. Part II. Learning and memory
  14. Chapter 6. Odor memory and the special role of associative learning 95
  15. Chapter 7. Knowing what we smell 115
  16. Chapter 8. Attending to olfactory short-term memory 137
  17. Part III. Neuropsychology and olfactory dysfunctions
  18. Chapter 9. Olfactory function in Parkinson’s disease 155
  19. Chapter 10. Remembering what the nose knows 179
  20. Chapter 11. Olfactory impairment in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease 199
  21. Part IV. Odor hedonic perception and development
  22. Chapter 12. The psychophysics of olfaction in the human newborn 221
  23. Chapter 13. Emerging chemosensory preferences 237
  24. Chapter 14. The acquisition of odour preferences via evaluative olfactory conditioning 269
  25. Dedication. Writings in remembrance of Professor Trygg Engen 295
  26. Index 313
Olfactory Cognition
This chapter is in the book Olfactory Cognition
https://doi.org/10.1075/aicr.85.13jon

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of contributors ix
  4. Foreword xi
  5. Preface xv
  6. Acknowledgments xix
  7. Part I. Perception, psychophysics and odour environment
  8. Chapter 1. Is there a measurement system for odour quality? 3
  9. Chapter 2. There’s something in the air 23
  10. Chapter 3. Psychophysical evaluation of pain and olfaction 39
  11. Chapter 4. Olfactory comfort in close relationships 59
  12. Chapter 5. Olfactory perception 73
  13. Part II. Learning and memory
  14. Chapter 6. Odor memory and the special role of associative learning 95
  15. Chapter 7. Knowing what we smell 115
  16. Chapter 8. Attending to olfactory short-term memory 137
  17. Part III. Neuropsychology and olfactory dysfunctions
  18. Chapter 9. Olfactory function in Parkinson’s disease 155
  19. Chapter 10. Remembering what the nose knows 179
  20. Chapter 11. Olfactory impairment in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease 199
  21. Part IV. Odor hedonic perception and development
  22. Chapter 12. The psychophysics of olfaction in the human newborn 221
  23. Chapter 13. Emerging chemosensory preferences 237
  24. Chapter 14. The acquisition of odour preferences via evaluative olfactory conditioning 269
  25. Dedication. Writings in remembrance of Professor Trygg Engen 295
  26. Index 313
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