Question

What would Skinner say would be the link between emotions and smells?

a) Smells have no impact on emotions
b) Smells can trigger emotional responses
c) Emotions have no connection to smells
d) Smells can only affect physical sensations

Answer 1

B.F. Skinner would believe that smells can trigger emotional responses due to the olfactory system's direct link to the brain's emotional centers.

Step-by-step explanation:

B.F. Skinner, a renowned behaviorist, would likely suggest that smells can trigger emotional responses. This assertion is based on the understanding that the olfactory system is closely linked with the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and memories. When we perceive odors through our olfactory receptors, some neural pathways lead to the primary olfactory cortex in the temporal lobe, while others reach the structures within the limbic system and hypothalamus. This intimate neural connection ensures that certain smells trigger emotional memories. For instance, the smell of a food from one's childhood can elicit nostalgia because of these connections. Moreover, this relationship is reinforced by the phenomenon of implicit emotional conditioning, where specific emotions can be associated with different stimuli, including smells, even when these associations cannot be consciously recalled.