Testosterone in body odor linked to perceived dominance
Higher testosterone in body odor linked to perceived dominance in men, study finds.
Why it matters
- Body odor influences social perceptions.
- Highlights role of scent in human communication.
By the numbers
- 76 male students provided samples.
- 797 participants rated scents.
- Higher testosterone linked to dominance, not prestige.
The big picture
- Dominance is one strategy in social status hierarchies.
- Scent plays a role in communicating dominance, not prestige.
What they're saying
- Some question dominance vs. social status link.
- Concerns about salivary testosterone test accuracy.
Caveats
- Small, uniform sample size.
- Needs replication with diverse groups.
What’s next
- Further research with larger samples.
- Study impact of smell loss on mental health.