Doctoral thesis
Effects and mechanisms of a putative human pheromone
Concluding sentences: "The current results further support the notion that androstadienone acts like a human modulator pheromone, namely modulating ongoing behavior or a psychological reaction to a particular context, changing stimulus sensitivity, salience and sensory-motor integration. However, these conclusions remain tentative until further replication takes place, best in ecologically valid environments. Furthermore, one has to keep in mind that the current studies could not replicate several previous findings and could not verify some hypotheses assuming communicative effects of androstadienone. Thus, the main assumption of this thesis that androstadienone is an active chemosignal is still challenged. Also, whether the term “pheromone” is indeed suitable to label androstadienone remains open.
Poster presentation:
Human pheromones, epigenetics, physiology, and the development of animal behavior
Main Conclusion:
When he was wearing the mixture compared to when he wore the diluent, women were more likely to make eye contact (t (12) = 3.43, p = 0.01; IRR: r = 0.964, p = 0.01). They also laughed more (t (12) = 5.20, p < 0.01; IRR: r = 0.810, p = 0.01), and they subsequently rated themselves as being more attracted to him (t (12) = 2.786, p = 0.016).
Our results combine the known effects of androstenol on LH and on mood with a likely behavioral affect of androsterone.
Effects and mechanisms of a putative human pheromone
Concluding sentences: "The current results further support the notion that androstadienone acts like a human modulator pheromone, namely modulating ongoing behavior or a psychological reaction to a particular context, changing stimulus sensitivity, salience and sensory-motor integration. However, these conclusions remain tentative until further replication takes place, best in ecologically valid environments. Furthermore, one has to keep in mind that the current studies could not replicate several previous findings and could not verify some hypotheses assuming communicative effects of androstadienone. Thus, the main assumption of this thesis that androstadienone is an active chemosignal is still challenged. Also, whether the term “pheromone” is indeed suitable to label androstadienone remains open.
Poster presentation:
Human pheromones, epigenetics, physiology, and the development of animal behavior
Main Conclusion:
When he was wearing the mixture compared to when he wore the diluent, women were more likely to make eye contact (t (12) = 3.43, p = 0.01; IRR: r = 0.964, p = 0.01). They also laughed more (t (12) = 5.20, p < 0.01; IRR: r = 0.810, p = 0.01), and they subsequently rated themselves as being more attracted to him (t (12) = 2.786, p = 0.016).
Our results combine the known effects of androstenol on LH and on mood with a likely behavioral affect of androsterone.