Attentional control in the attentional blink is modulated by odor

Colzato, Lorenza S.; Sellaro, Roberta; Paccani, Claudia Rossi

doi:10.3758/s13414-014-0733-0

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The smell of the non-scented room was odor-neutral. Following Colzato et al (2014) , four drops of the appropriate oil were applied to a candle diffuser, diluted in 30 ml of water. Two separate diffusers were used for spreading the two aromas.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A question of scent: lavender aroma promotes interpersonal trust

et al. 2015

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A previous study has shown that the degree of trust into others might be biased by inducing either a more “inclusive” or a more “exclusive” cognitive-control mode. Here, we investigated whether the degree of interpersonal trust can be biased by environmental factors, such as odors, that are likely to impact cognitive-control states. Arousing olfactory fragrances (e.g., peppermint) are supposed to induce a more exclusive, and calming olfactory fragrances (e.g., lavender) a more inclusive state. Participants performed the Trust Game, which provides an index of interpersonal trust by assessing the money units one participant (the trustor) transfers to another participant (the trustee), while being exposed to either peppermint or lavender aroma. All participants played the role of trustor. As expected, participants transferred significantly more money to the alleged trustee in the lavender as compared to the peppermint and control (no aroma) conditions. This observation might have various serious implications for a broad range of situations in which interpersonal trust is an essential element, such as cooperation (e.g., mixed-motives situations), bargaining and negotiation, consumer behavior, and group performance.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A question of scent: lavender aroma promotes interpersonal trust

et al. 2015

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“…Ronconi et al ( 2015 ) also found reduced AB effects when an auditory (but not when a visual) rhythm preceded the RSVP stream in the same frequency as the RSVP items. In general, however, there are also single reports, that the effect of music could not be replicated (Spalek and Di Lollo, unpublished data, as cited by Colzato et al, 2014 ). Further, differences between studies on entrainment and the AB (Zauner et al, 2012 ; Ronconi et al, 2015 ) used rhythms touching alpha.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Rhythm and Attention: Does the Beat Position of a Visual or Auditory Regular Pulse Modulate T2 Detection in the Attentional Blink?

Bermeitinger

Frings

2015

Front. Psychol.

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The attentional blink (AB) is one impressive demonstration of limited attentional capacities in time: a second target (T2) is often missed when it should be detected within 200–600 ms after a first target. According to the dynamic attending theory, attention cycles oscillatory. Regular rhythms (i.e., pulses) should evoke expectations regarding the point of the next occurrence of a tone/element in the rhythm. At this point, more attentional resources should be provided. Thus, if rhythmic information can be used to optimize attentional release, we assume a modulation of the AB when an additional rhythm is given. We tested this idea in two experiments with a visual (Experiment 1) or an auditory (Experiment 2) rhythm. We found large AB effects. However, the rhythm did not modulate the AB. If the rhythm had an influence at all, then Experiment 2 showed that an auditory rhythm (or stimulus) falling on T2 might generally boost visual processing, irrespective of attentional resources as indexed by the AB paradigm. Our experiments suggest that oscillatory cycling attention does not affect temporal selection as tapped in the AB paradigm.

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“…“De Tuinen™” pure essential oils (De Tuinen Aromatherapie) of peppermint and lavender were used to produce the ambient aromas. Following Colzato et al ( 2014 ) and Sellaro et al ( 2015b ), four drops of the appropriate oil were applied to a candle diffuser, diluted in 30 ml of water. Two separate diffusers were used for spreading the two aromas.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, it has been suggested that stimulating aromas, such as peppermint (Barker et al, 2003 ; Colzato et al, 2014 ; Ho & Spence, 2005 ; Kovar et al, 1987 ; Moss et al, 2008 ; Warm et al, 1991 ; Raudenbush et al, 2001 ; Raudenbush et al, 2009 ; Warm and Dember, 1990 ), lead to a more focused, exclusive attentional state, whereas relaxing aromas, such as lavender (Basevitch et al, 2011 ; Diego et al, 1998 ; Field et al, 2005 ; Lehrner et al, 2005 ; Grimes, 1999 ; Guéguen & Petr, 2006 ; Moss, Cook, Wesnes, & Duckett, 2003 ; Sakamoto et al, 2005 ; Sellaro et al, 2015b ) induce a broader, inclusive attentional state. For instance, research has found that being exposed to peppermint aroma improves memory (Moss et al, 2008 ), sustained visual attention (Warm et al, 1991 ), dual-task performance (Ho & Spence, 2005 ), athletic task performance (Raudenbush et al, 2001 ), and alertness in a driving simulator task (Raudenbush et al, 2009 ), and affects the allocation of attention in time (Colzato et al, 2014 ). In contrast, being exposed to lavender aroma has been found to lessen fatigue (Sakamoto et al, 2005 ), to promote behavior commitment (Grimes, 1999 ), to increase the amount of time customers spend in a restaurant and the amount of purchasing (Guéguen & Petr, 2006 ), and to enhance interpersonal trust (Sellaro et al, 2015b ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

With peppermints you’re not my prince: Aroma modulates self-other integration

Sellaro

Hommel

Paccani

2015

Atten Percept Psychophys

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Recent studies showed that self-other integration, as indexed by the joint Simon effect (JSE), can be modulated by biasing participants towards particular (integrative vs. exclusive) cognitive-control states. Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that such control states can be induced by particular odors: stimulating odors (e.g., peppermint aroma) seem to induce a more focused, exclusive state; relaxing odors (e.g., lavender aroma) are thought to induce a broader, more integrative state. In the present study, we tested the possible impact of peppermint and lavender aromas on self-other integration. Pairs of participants performed the joint Simon task in an either peppermint- or lavender-scented testing room. Results showed that both aromas modulated the size of the JSE, although they had a dissociable effect on reaction times (RTs) and percentage of errors (PEs). Whilst the JSE in RTs was found to be less pronounced in the peppermint group, compared to the lavender and no-aroma groups, the JSE in PEs was significantly more pronounced in the lavender group, compared to the peppermint and no-aroma group. These results are consistent with the emerging literature suggesting that the degree of self-other integration does not reflect a trait but a particular cognitive state, which can be biased towards excluding or integrating the other in one’s self-representation.

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Attentional control in the attentional blink is modulated by odor

Cited by 17 publications

References 35 publications

A question of scent: lavender aroma promotes interpersonal trust

A question of scent: lavender aroma promotes interpersonal trust

Rhythm and Attention: Does the Beat Position of a Visual or Auditory Regular Pulse Modulate T2 Detection in the Attentional Blink?

With peppermints you’re not my prince: Aroma modulates self-other integration

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