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Mechanisms of human reproductive behavior: Olfactory markers of male attractiveness

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Abstract

This work is a study of human olfactory communication. The article discusses results of an experiment on identifying the ability to identify some biological and psychological characteristics by odor. Female experts were presented with samples of sweat odor from men that differed in sets of anthropometric (interpupillary distance, mandibular height and width, etc.) and behavioral characteristics (NEO Personality Inventory, risk-taking, Sandra Bem’s masculinity versus femininity index, a self-rating scale on Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire). In addition, men were checked for hormonal status (testosterone and cortisol). The obtained results have confirmed the significance of information communicated through the olfactory system for rating a potential mate’s traits. Women’s ratings of male odors varied depending on the phases of their menstrual cycle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskii pr. 32a, Moscow, 119991, Russia

    M. L. Butovskaya, E. V. Veselovskaya & V. V. Rostovtseva

  2. Institute of Age Physiology, Russian Academy of Education, ul. Pogodinskaya 8, bldg. 2, Moscow, 119869, Russia

    N. B. Selverova & I. V. Ermakova

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  1. M. L. Butovskaya
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  2. E. V. Veselovskaya
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  3. V. V. Rostovtseva
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  4. N. B. Selverova
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  5. I. V. Ermakova
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Correspondence to M. L. Butovskaya.

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Original Russian Text © M.L. Butovskaya, E.V. Veselovskaya, V.V. Rostovtseva, N.B. Selverova, I.V. Ermakova, 2012, published in Zhurnal Obshchei Biologii, 2012, Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 302–317.

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Butovskaya, M.L., Veselovskaya, E.V., Rostovtseva, V.V. et al. Mechanisms of human reproductive behavior: Olfactory markers of male attractiveness. Biol Bull Rev 3, 196–208 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079086413030031

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