Is the Perception of Dietary Odour Cues Linked to Sexual Selection in Humans?

Citation

Fialova J, Roberts SC & Havlicek J (2013) Is the Perception of Dietary Odour Cues Linked to Sexual Selection in Humans?. In: East M & Dehnhard M M (eds.) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 12. New York: Springer, pp. 161-169. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4614-5927-9_12

Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that various animal species use diet-associated cues to assess the condition of a potential mate. Such cues are not restricted to the visual channel (e.g. brightness of colouration) but could also be perceived by olfaction. Here, we first summarise current knowledge about the role of diet in vertebrate semiochemistry. Consequently, we employ an adaptationist approach to communication to explore whether cues to diet are or were subject to sexual selection in humans. These thoughts are speculative as research in this area is rather fragmental.

People

Professor Craig Roberts

Professor of Social Psychology, Psychology