Conceptual Review of Smell Communication

Recent evidence suggests that human odor communication may have particular relevance for family scholars. This paper examines the role of odor communication in kin recognition, parental attachment, mate selection, and procreation. Evidence for odor communication in each of these areas is critically presented. Weaknesses in the current literature are addressed and the implications and potential research avenues for family scholars are outlined. Nonhuman animals communicate their emotional states through changes in body odor.