Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (8)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Herz, R. S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Herz, R. S.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Chem. Senses 29: 217-224, 2004
© Oxford University Press 2004

A Naturalistic Analysis of Autobiographical Memories Triggered by Olfactory Visual and Auditory Stimuli

Rachel S. Herz

Department of Psychology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA

Correspondence to be sent to: Rachel S. Herz, Department of Psychology, 89 Waterman Street, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. e-mail: rachel_herz{at}brown.edu

The emotional and content qualities of autobiographical memories evoked by three memory cue items (campfire, fresh-cut grass, popcorn) presented in olfactory, visual and auditory form were examined using a new repeated measures paradigm. Results revealed that memories recalled by odors were significantly more emotional and evocative than those recalled by the same cue presented visually or auditorily. However, there were no differences in the content features (vividness, specificity) of memories as a function of cue-form. These findings support previous research in both laboratory and naturalistic settings and is the first comparative sensory memory study to include auditory variants of memory cues. The present data contribute to a growing body of evidence indicating that there is a privileged relationship between olfaction and emotion during recollection. Various subject factors such as age, sex and region of residence were also examined and some were found to affect the quality of memories in interaction with the specific memory cue items, indicating that prior experience is a primary influence in autobiographical memory. Questions for future investigation regarding how odor-evoked memories may be different from other memory experiences are suggested.

Key words: : auditory, autobiographical memory, emotion, demographics, odor


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 International Journal of Behavioral DevelopmentHome page
C. Ferdenzi, G. Coureaud, V. Camos, and B. Schaal
Human awareness and uses of odor cues in everyday life: Results from a questionnaire study in children
International Journal of Behavioral Development, September 1, 2008; 32(5): 422 - 431.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Chem SensesHome page
S. T. Weber and E. Heuberger
The Impact of Natural Odors on Affective States in Humans
Chem Senses, June 1, 2008; 33(5): 441 - 447.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.