Naslov
Chemosignalling effects of human tears revisited : Does exposure to female tears decrease males’ perception of female sexual attractiveness?

Autori
Gračanin, Asmir ; Van Assen, Marcel A.L.M ; Omrčen, Višnja ; Koraj, Ivana ; Vingerhoets, Ad J.J.M.

Izvornik
Cognition & emotion (0269-9931) 31 (2017), 1; 139-150

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Human tears ; aggression ; chemosignalling ; pro-social behaviour ; sexual attraction

Sažetak
Gelstein et al. reported the results of three experiments suggesting a dampening influence of inhalation of female emotional tears on males’ arousal and perception of female sexual attractiveness, specifically in non-sexual situations. This prompted the hypothesis that crying exerts its influence on others not only via the auditory and visual mode but also via chemosignals. In three studies, we attempted to replicate and extend Gelstein et al.’s findings by including an additional condition with irritant tears, by using pictures of sexually attractive women, and by testing related hypotheses on the pro-social effects of exposure to tears. All three studies, separately or combined in a meta-analysis, failed to replicate the original inhibitory effects of tears. In addition, sniffing tears did not affect measures of connectedness, aggression and pro-social behaviour. It is concluded that the effects of female tears on male arousal and perception of female sexual attractiveness, if any, are very weak at best. Rather, it seems that crying exerts its strong inter-personal effects through the visual and auditory sensory channels.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA