Some psychological aspects of chemical senses

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Psychology
Degree name
Doctor of Philosophy
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Psychology
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
1971
Authors
Mitchell, Maui John
Abstract

The cognitive processing of subjective intensity information in the judgement of subjective similarity between pairs of complex odour mixtures is discussed in relation to studies of odour intensity, odour pleasantness, subjective similarity in general, and olfactory classificatory schemes in particular. Preliminary experiments dealt with olfactory intensity per se, focussing on scaling method, response variability, masking phenomena, and led to the construction of alternative simulation models for combining intensity information to generate theoretical similarity data. Traditional practices for scaling subjective intensity are questioned by these data. A pilot study of subjective similarity revealed consistent individual differences in judgement criteria and multidimensional scalings and permissible interpretations thereof. A second similarity experiment disclosed the confounding of context effects in perceived similarity, revealed the role of intensity in qualitative similarity, and questioned the usefulness of perceived similarities as a basis for classification of odour quality.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Maui John Mitchell