Abstract
Olfactory adaptation and recovery was investigated in man, using two psychophysical procedures: modified category scaling and threshold detection. Both procedures yielded similar qualitative information regarding loss and recovery of olfactory sensitivity as a function of time and concentration of adapting stimuli. However, quantitative differences were observed that could be partially attributed to artifacts inherent in each procedure. Often more than 50% adaptation (and recovery) occurred within the first 2 min with either test procedure. In all experiments the rate of adaptation and recovery was greater at the higher of two adapting concentrations (10 × and 20 × the detection threshold It). Recovery occurred more rapidly than adaptation. The usefulness of both techniques is discussed in terms of the overall problem of characterizing the olfactory adaptation and recovery process in man.
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This research was supported by Grant NB 07832 from the National Institute of Neurological Sciences of the National Institutes of Health and presented, in part, at the Western Psychological Association meeting, Vancouver, June 20, 1969. The authors thank the panel members for their cooperation.
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Steinmetz, G., Pryor, G.T. & Stone, H. Olfactory adaptation and recovery in man as measured by two psychophysical techniques. Perception & Psychophysics 8, 327–330 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212602
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212602