Pheromonal Influences on Sociosexual Behavior in Young Women
Copyright ©2002 Elsevier Science Inc.
Norma L. McCoy, Lisa Pitino.
Dept. of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132-4168
Independent study published in the scientific journal, Physiology and Behavior 75 (March 2002) 367-375
ABSTRACT
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a synthesized putative female pheromone was conducted with regularly menstruating, university women (N = 36, mean age = 27.8). The pheromone formula was derived from earlier work investigating the underarm secretions of fertile, sexually active, heterosexual women.
A vial of either synthesized pheromone or placebo was selected blindly and added to a subject's perfume. Subjects recorded seven sociosexual behaviors and reported them weekly across three menstrual cycles. Beginning with Day 8 of each cycle, the first cycle contained a 2-week baseline period followed by an experimental period of as many as 3 weeks each from the next two cycles for a maximum of 6 weeks.
The 19 pheromone and 17 placebo subjects did not differ significantly in age, weight, body mass index, dating status or ethnicity nor in reported accuracy, back-filling data, perception of a positive effect or perfume use. Placebo subjects were significantly taller than pheromone subjects. Except for male approaches, subjects did not differ significantly at baseline in average weekly sociosexual behaviors.
A significantly greater proportion of pheromone users compared with placebo users increased over baseline in frequency of sexual intercourse, sleeping next to a partner, formal dates and petting/affection/kissing but not in frequency of male approaches, informal dates or masturbation. Three or more sociosexual behaviors increased over baseline for 74% of pheromone users compared with 23% of placebo users.
We conclude that this synthesized pheromone formula acted as a sex attractant pheromone and increased the sexual attractiveness of women to men.
2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.