pheromone

n. a chemical signal that is released outside the body by members of a species and that influences the behavior of other members of the same species. For example, it may serve to attract a mate or to act as an alarm. In nonhuman animals, sensitivity to pheromones occurs via the vomeronasal system. The existence of true pheromones in humans is controversial, although scents (e.g., perfumes, body odors) may play a role in sexual attraction and arousal. Pheromones have also been suggested as a cause of menstrual synchrony. Also called ectohormone. Compare allomone.

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Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

emotional unconscious

that aspect of the nonconscious mind that consists of unreportable emotional or motivational states. It is suggested that such states may influence thought and action without the individual becoming consciously aware of them. The emotional unconscious is comparable to, but distinct from, the cognitive unconscious, which consists of implicit percepts, memories, and thoughts. The extent to which an individual can be said to have emotions without being conscious of them, however, is controversial. [proposed by U.S. cognitive psychologist John F. Kihlstrom (1948– )]