What are the functions of social smells in human daily life

What are the functions of social smells in human daily life  

The influence of odors in sexual choices was also addressed indirectly when analyzing matrimonial relationships in Anabaptists of Pennsylvania, a North-American endogamous isolate [OBE 97]. In this community, both 

Body odors also regulate social proximity outside the family. From 4 to 5 years of age, children recognize body odors of schoolmates, and girls appear better both at discriminating and at being discriminated than boys. In children, these group dynamics often indicate the affiliative networks and the 

The chemistry of olfactory cues, probably conveyed in complex secretions and involved in the performance of recognition summarized above, remains unknown. The odors of the human body are composed of at least 350 volatile compounds, the combinations of which indicate individuality, sex, emotional state or health [DOR 13], Environmental factors (related to feeding diet or skin microflora) or shared genetic characteristics may generate shared odor signatures across individuals. Along with these complex chemical signatures, we cannot yet exclude that crucial, universal, compounds shared by different species may also convey critical information. 

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