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Do Clean Smells Cause Clean Behavior?
November 3, 2009 at 3:35 PM by Cafe Kim - Comments (5)
One of my favorite smells is clean laundry right after it comes out of the dryer. Mmmmmmm...
As it turns out, my favorite smell might just inspire me to act more fair, charitable and generous than I would normally toward others. That's according to new research, which shows that clean smells promote moral behavior. Not sure if I buy it, but if it is true, I'm going to start wearing strong, "clean-smelling" perfume so that everyone around me acts ethically!
In two experiments, participants in a room spritzed with a clean smell—in this case, citrus-scented Windex—acted more "fairly" and "charitably" than compared to participants in a plain-smelling room. Researchers believe this is because people associate physical cleanliness with moral cleanliness.
Instead of using intrusive security measures like surveillance, workplaces, retail stores and other organizations could encourage people to follow the rules and act ethically simply by manipulating the odors of the environment. How could we use this to our advantage at home?
Do you think there's a connection between clean smells and "clean" behavior? What's your favorite clean smell?
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FILED UNDER: emotional health, general health, in the news, mental health
Comments:
I have to agree with aurorabunny. I am so sensitive to smells and while I do enjoy some more subtle scents, I am overwhelmed by them more often than not.
And as far as people acting better when they smell clean scents.. hmmmm... I wonder if I should try that one out. I know plenty of people with stinky behavior that could stand to take a whiff of some citrus candles and change their ways.
What they said. My "clean" smell is lemon verbena or basil, since that's what my safe cleaners are.
Stuff like bleach, 409... it smells toxic and bothers me to smell. Walking down detergent aisles is horrid!
I agree with the above posters. My clean smell is my vinegar/water/tea tree oil mixture I make to clean my counters! I regularly do a lot of baking so my house always smells inviting, instead of bleach-y.
citrus essential oil is used for mood lifting. that is the effect that the cleaning products are having. Personally I'd rather do a high grade essential oil than a chemical cleaner
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In my opinion when something smells "clean" it's most likely loaded with chemicals. Most of our laundry detergents and other things don't have a smell at all.
aurorabunny Nov. 3, 2009 at 4:50 PM