The psychology of perfume

 Emotion and childhood associations


It is widely accepted that smell is one of the most evocative of the senses.For centuries, fragrance has been used to affect the emotions and reactions of people. There have been several scientific studies conducted to determine the effects of perfume on emotions and behavior.

There is a strong evidence of the positive or negative psychological effects that perfume can have on people. Fragrance can be linked to memories and associations. A sniff into a long forgotten scent can transport you for a minute, back to a special place or immerse you in old memories.

What is the psychology behind the perfume that we wear? Why do we pick such a perfume whether another one?

Nostalgia and attachment are mechanisms which are part of the psychological dimensions which can influence our attitude and preferences towards perfume. Indeed, some women have a strong “relationship” with their perfume; in this case the product becomes an extension of them-selves. Nostalgia, that is to say our preferences developed during an early “sensitive period” of life could explain choices observed in later life stages.

Of course, childhood experience and memories could explain also what perfume we like or not!

Tell me which perfume you wear, I’ll tell how old you are.

Another interesting fact is that we tend to associate specific fragrances to a particular personality, age or profession. Famous Chanel n°5 is often perceived right to someone who is getting on in years. That brings us to wondering if perfumes have an age? Are certain fragrances more appropriate for women of certain ages?
Some studies have shown that the probability of choosing a long-established perfume, rather than a recently introduced one, increases enormously with consumer age!

In conclusion, our “relationship” with perfume is something complex which is a combination of emotion, memories and sensation. Fragrance reflects also for women their personality and could be consider as a statue marker. Then, a simple choice means lots of things for women and marketers understood well the importance of these findings !


                                                                                       Source: http://wiseyouup.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/the-psychology-of-perfume/ 


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