Introduction
It is possible that the memory in an individual is affected by the different environmental variables and smell being one of them. For example a certain type of cologne may remind a person about their spouse who wears the same cologne. Several explanations about these effects of the olfactory system on the short term memory have been proposed. One is that the system has an impact since it is endowed with axons that terminate the working of the olfactory bulbs have a direct connectivity with the brain compared to other senses.
Abstract
This experiment was conducted in a bid to determine the effects of the olfactory system on the long term memory in human beings. In recording new information in the brain it is possible that the olfactory system affects this memory. This effect may have a connection to the emotions and the ability to store information in an individual’s brain.
Hypothesis
The olfactory sense stimulation affects the long term memory of an individual when associated with a certain emotion.
Experiment questions
Does the olfactory system when associated with a certain emotion affect an individual’s long term memory and or not?
Is the olfactory system stimulation a suitable means to enhance emotions and long term memory compared to other senses?
Procedure
In this experiment 2 groups of 100 individuals each: 50 male and 50 female for each group, were formed. This is to eliminate bias and other constraints related to gender in case it happened in the course of the experiment. All the individuals were over 18 years of age. Group A is the control group while group B is the variable group. Two similar photos were given to each group and the differences in the photos were explained to each group. One of the photos’ had a happy theme while the other had a general theme and so triggered no emotion to the viewer. While explaining the differences in the two groups a smell is released for the variable group. After six days the test is repeated. The results of what was memorized by the two groups of the differences between the two photos is taken and recorded. The emotional response the two groups had while recalling the memory of the two photos was also recorded.
Results
The difference noted from the results of this experiment is that the memory recalled when a smell is associated with one of the photos was more than when there was no smell associated to the photo. 70% of the information given about the photos was recalled by the individuals who were exposed to the smell during the experiment. 50% of the information given about the differences between the photos was recalled by Group A. However, the amount of information remembered about the smell was equal to the memory triggered by the visual, tactile and auditory sensory cues. The photo with the happy theme was also recalled more than the other one with 60% of the individuals from the variable group having more emotional response when recalling the details of that photo compared to 40% from the control group which had no smell released to them.
This concludes the association between the storage of memory was enhanced by the olfactory sensory cues administered all other factors constant for the two groups. This experiment indeed brings us to the conclusion that the smell played a role in remembering the information stored in the long term memory of the individuals. The experiment also gives the conclusion that more emotions are triggered when a smell is associated with a certain event and so the memory stored is enhanced by the emotional association. However it is not possible to conclude that the recollection of memory through olfactory stimulation is always the best cue to long term memory.
Conclusion
In conclusion the theoretical implication of this experiment is that the association between the memory stored by an individual and the olfactory stimulation while recording the information is significant. The possibility that smell can be associated to certain things and emotions is a possible explanation that memory is enhanced when certain odors are exposed to an individual. However, more research is recommended since the experiment also proves that the olfactory stimulations are not always the best cue to memory stored by people.
