Abstract
Preliminary investigations into the effects of a 12-h diurnal variation suggested there was a 10-fold decrease in odor sensitivity from morning to evening. For a selected group of odorants (methyl, t-butyl, and phenyl isonitrile), the difference between detection and recognition thresholds in general was found to be 10-fold; however, for some Ss the difference was less. When Ss were blindfolded, no changes in odor sensitivity were noted. Similarly, imposing an auditory stress on the test situation did not significantly alter odor sensitivity in either experienced or naive Ss,
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This research was supported by Edgewood Arsenal, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland under Contract DA 18-035-AMC-738(A) with Stanford Research Institute. The authors extend grateful appreciation to Mr. Robert Dehn for synthesis and purification of the odorants, to Mrs. J. Colwell and Mrs. S. Oliver for technical assistance, and to the panel for their cooperation.
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Stone, H., Pryor, G. Some properties of the olfactory system of man. Perception & Psychophysics 2, 516–518 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03210257
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03210257