

@mastersthesis {7021,
	title = {Kin selection: {A} study of odor recognition, preference, and emotional closeness as a function of genetic similarity},
	year = {1999},
	note = {9954508},
	school = {Wayne State University},
	type = {phdPh.{D}.},
	address = {Ann Arbor},
	abstract = {The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of mothers and children to differentiate among the odors of full siblings, half siblings and stepsiblings when paired against odors of unfamiliar (unrelated) agemates. This study also examined olfaction as a possible variable mediating sibling interaction with one another. Seventy-seven children between the ages of four and eleven as well as eighteen mothers participated in this study. Children were recruited based on desired categories of kinship (i.e., full siblings, half siblings, and stepsiblings). A two-choice odor discrimination task was employed. Children were asked to wear identical T-shirts for three consecutive nights. During that time they were instructed to refrain from wearing perfume or other cosmetics, and were asked to wash only with Ivory soap. T-shirts were stored in sterile plastic bags during the day to prevent possibly contamination by odors in the environment. On the morning following the third night of wearing a shirt, each child was presented with the shirt worn by his sibling along with that worn by an unfamiliar child of the same approximate age as the stimulus sibling. Children were asked to sniff the shirts and state their preference, if any, to one of the two odors. Children were then asked to guess which one on the two shirts was worn by their sibling. The mothers who agreed to participate were given comparable choice test. Each child than completed the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire. Two statistical methods were used to analyze the data. A chi-square one-variable test was performed on odor identification and odor preference ratings to determine whether or not a significant difference existed between the observed number of cases which fell into each category and the expected number of cases. A student t-test was performed on the mean ratings of the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (warmth/closeness scale) between correct and incorrect identification of olfactory cues. The results of the chi-square one-variable test indicated that mothers were able to recognize their biological offspring by matching olfactory cues. Children were able to recognize full siblings by matching olfactory cues but were not able to recognize their half siblings or stepsiblings by matching olfactory cues. Mothers reported a preference for the olfactory cues of their biological children. Children did not report a preference for the olfactory cues of their full siblings or half siblings. The results of the student t-test found no significant relationship between odor identification and emotional closeness. The results of this study suggest that bodily odors are salient stimuli for kin recognition among biological mothers and biological siblings. Bodily odors were not salient for kin recognition among half siblings or stepsiblings. Preference among children for sibling bodily odors appears learned rather than inmate.},
	keywords = {0451:Social psychology, 0628:Families \& family life, 0628:Personal relationships, 0628:Sociology, 0989:Physiological psychology, Emotional closeness, Families \& family life, Genetic, Kin selection, Odor recognition, Personal relationships, Physiological psychology, Psychology, Social psychology, Social sciences, Sociology},
	url = {http://search.proquest.com/docview/304553254?accountid=14270},
	author = {Gall, James Andrew}
}
