The Scented Ape: The Biology and Culture of Human Odour (Studies on Individual Development)

by David Michael Stoddart

This book examines the sense of smell in humans, comparing it with the known functions of the same sense in other animals. Odorous cues play a role in sexual physiology and behavior in animals and there are claims that odor can play the same role in humans. The place of odors and scents in aesthetics and in psychoanalysis serves to illustrate the link between the emotional centers and the brain. The book presents arguments to explain the way in which our ancestral past has given rise to our modern day olfactory enigmas. Containing a glossary and chapter summaries the book will be accessible to a wide audience.

Genres: Science

300 pages, Paperback

First published November 29, 1990

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While some of the data and theories regarding nuclear family bonds and gender are out of date, I had a very interesting time reading the chapters on the history of perfume and incense. The chemistry of the scents and their comparison to, uh, crotch smells is definitely food for thought for this incense fan!