SMELLS OF LIFE: NEW HORIZONS IN THE STUDY OF OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION IN HUMANS

This study examines the role of communication in the lives of social species, with particular emphasis on olfactory communication in humans. The authors emphasize that in addition to linguistic communication, a person actively uses non-linguistic means, such as facial expressions, gestures and tactile signals. Particular attention is paid to the sense of smell, historically undervalued in the context of human communication. Based on an analysis of modern research, the author refutes the established myth about a person's weak sense of smell, demonstrating that the human olfactory system has high sensitivity and the ability to complexly perceive odors. Examines the importance of smell in various aspects of human life, including nutrition, interpersonal communication and social rituals. The author highlights the need to reassess the role of olfactory communication and suggest new directions for future research. It also draws attention to the bias of existing psychological research focusing primarily on Western societies and highlights the importance of studying olfactory awareness in diverse cultural contexts.