Perception and Smell

I enjoy the smell of my own farts. Don’t cringe at me. To whoever is reading this you know you enjoy yours as well. Don’t lie, just admit it.

In social psychology class we learned that there is a necessary social construction of the senses that occurs. Our teacher stated that “We do not react automatically to physical sensations but define and interpret them.” Awful, repulsive and nauseating smells are actually not bad smells but they are described as such because they are socially constructed as bad smells. Someone may enjoy the smell of horse manure while their best friend gags at even the thought of it. The most common example, which I love, is gasoline. Someone may truly appreciate the smell of gasoline while their roommate dreads the fact of pumping gas into his car once a week. One of these roommates will continue telling people how the smell of gasoline arouses the inside of his nostrils (you get the idea) therefore, causing those who listen to believe that the scent of gasoline actually is enjoyable. The same process occurs with the other roommate. He will continue informing people about his disgust for the smell of gasoline therefore, instigating a sense of animosity for the smell by anyone who chooses to believe him. Classifications of desirable and horrendous smells are products of our language while at the same time help organize our sense of reality and facilitate social interaction.

Other odd smells I enjoy: permanent marker, leather, new car, white out, raw dough, raw meat, skunks, melting rubber, dog biscuits, the doctor’s office, play-doh, a mechanic shop and ski equipment…just to name a few.