Ever wondered if you might be adopted? Try giving your brothers and sisters a good sniff. That advice arises from new research that shows that family members can tell each other by smell alone, but only if they are genetically related to each other.
Recognising close relatives by their odour could be down to familiarity, or simply sharing a common environment and common smells. But psychologist James Gall of Wayne State University in Detroit and his colleagues compared members of families in which both blood relatives and step children lived, to see if the genetic link made a difference.
The results showed that mothers were very good at detecting their birth children by smell, but not their step children. The children themselves were quite good at distinguishing their brothers and sisters over their step siblings.
“We have a basic affinity for our biological relatives,” says Gall’s colleague, Glenn Weisfeld. He says smell could explain why stepchildren are often more badly treated than children living with their biological parents. “I think it’s an important mechanism in how people discriminate against stepchildren,” he says.
Sealed bag
In the study, 34 pairs of siblings aged four to 11 took part – 13 full siblings, 10 half siblings and 11 step siblings. All of the pairs had been living in the same home with their parents for at least the last two years.
The children were given a clean T-shirt, and asked to wear it for three nights in a row. During the day, the shirt was kept in a sealed plastic bag to protect it from being contaminated with household smells. The children were all also given the same unperfumed soap to use for the three days.
At the end of the three nights, each shirt was put into a container with a small opening in the top for smelling through. Each mother was given two shirts and asked which smell she preferred, and which she thought was from her own child.
The biological mothers knew which was their child 27 times out of 30. But the stepmothers were wrong five times out of seven.
Because the mothers had all been living with their children, the results mean they must be using smell to recognise their children’s genes, Weisfeld says: “Similar environments and close association are not always sufficient.”
Telling smell
The researchers also found that the biological mothers preferred the smell of their own children over that of unrelated kids.
The results were the similar for the children. They recognised the smell of full brothers and sisters 21 times out of 30. Half siblings were correct 16 times out of 28, while step siblings performed worse than chance.
Previous studies have found that blindfolded mothers can identify their newborn babies, and that women smelling men’s T-shirts find the odour of men less related to them more attractive. But Weisf eld says this study is the first to compare full siblings with half and step siblings. “It’s the degree of kinship that’s important,” he says.
This research was presented at the Human Behaviour and Evolution Society conference in London, UK.
FAQs
Call or write them a letter explaining your observation of body odor and recommend they see their doctor immediately. You don't have to host this family member, and tell them once their diagnosis is confirmed and resolved, they would...
Why do some people's houses smell so good? ›
They Always Take Out the Trash
When it comes to odours, it's best to eliminate them right at the source. Although it's nobody's favourite chore, make it a habit to empty your kitchen and bathroom trash cans at least every other day to ensure every crevice of your home smells as fresh as can be.
How do we respond to smell? ›
Studies using simple odors suggest that when we smell something, a particular combination of neurons are activated. This combination of activity forms a coded message that's sent to the brain and is then perceived as a particular odor.
Is it rude to tell someone they have body odor? ›
Address the issue of body odor directly and compassionately, without being judgmental or insulting. Have the conversation in private to avoid embarrassment and ensure a respectful approach. If necessary, follow up with additional discussions to address any underlying causes and offer support or accommodations.
What is smell harassment? ›
“Odour harassment is any behaviour that makes other people uncomfortable due to smell, and that can include body odour, perfume, cigarettes, make-up or dirt that has accumulated on a person's clothing,” he said. “It is any smell that interferes with another person's ability to do their work.”
What is the emotional response to odors? ›
“Smell can instantly trigger an emotional response along with a memory, and our emotional states have a very strong effect on our physical well-being,” says Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist at Brown University who studies the psychological science of smell.
How do you confront someone about their smell? ›
“Explain you have a sensitive matter to discuss. I'd downplay the problem to help them feel less embarrassed. Be honest and kind but also be direct, don't try and tackle the problem by means of well intended hints. Ask them what may be causing the odour and how you can help.
How to compliment someone who smells good? ›
How to Compliment Someone's Perfume or Cologne
- Pick Out the Fragrance Notes. It sounds simple, right? ...
- Tell Them They Look Confident. According to science, fragrance can make you more self-confident. ...
- Explain How Their Perfume or Cologne Brought About a Happy Memory. ...
- Compliment Their Inner, Radiant Beauty.
7 tips to help you smell good all day long
- Watch what you eat. It's not just what you put onto your body that counts. ...
- Drink plenty of water. ...
- Choose a perfume / scent that suits you. ...
- Where and when? ...
- Watch what you wear. ...
- Wash regularly. ...
- Ensure good dental hygiene.
Strong odors may cause some people to feel a burning sensation that leads to coughing, wheezing or other breathing problems. People who smell strong odors may get headaches or feel dizzy or nauseous. If an odor lasts a long time or keeps occurring, it also could affect mood, anxiety and stress level.
Be honest and kind but also be direct, don't try and tackle the problem by means of well intended hints. Ask them what may be causing the odour and how you can help. Take notes—you may need them if you need to handle the situation formally.
How do you deal with a smelly patient? ›
Consider saying, “This is uncomfortable for me, and I don't want to embarrass or offend you, but we need to discuss your body odor as it may be related to your overall health.” Be honest, and when patients are confident about your honesty and integrity, they will have a clearer understanding of your motivation for ...
How do you address someone who smells bad? ›
For instance, instead of saying "You smell bad," it's more constructive to say, "I've noticed a consistent scent recently, and I wanted to discuss it to ensure we maintain a comfortable environment for everyone." By being direct yet sensitive, you respect the employee's feelings while addressing the issue of the ...
