The influence of stimulus concentration and odor intensity on relaxing and stimulating perceived properties of odors

It is generally assumed that intensity can be used as a proxy of the arousing properties odors: more concentrated an odorant, intense odor and stimulating less relaxing odor. The aim present study was thus to investigate relationship between odors when judged on two independent scales, for different levels stimulus concentration. Thirty-three volunteers relaxing, stimulating, pleasantness, familiarity four odors, namely strawberry, lavender, coffee, lemon, at five concentrations. Our findings show all higher concentration associated with perceived judgments whereas it not lower judgments. On contrary, lavender strawberry were also increased coffee lemon remained same overall whatever Odor stimuli well pleasantness (with exception odor). results underline need use separate unipolar scales assessing in self-report questionnaires. They question suitability commonly bidimensional framework (valence vs. arousal) describe olfactory emotions.