Why Is Scent Important to Mate Selection?

Years ago I consulted with the producers of a reality TV show where people would select "Mate" (This was before the bachelor and other shows became popular.) They used one of my ideas in their show and had the women smell the sweaty t-shirts of the guys to choose the best smelling guy for them to date.

In my book SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language and Charisma, I share insights on the four first impression factors—credibility, Likeability, attractiveness, and power. I discuss the various aspects of attractiveness including smell and today I contributed to a magazine article on smell and attractiveness.

Looking for the right smell in your future mate is so interesting because there is a scientific explanation for its importance—the right "scent" is wired to the limbic system. We want mates that would make good babies!

The theory is that women are more attracted to the scent of men who have immune genes that differ from their own so that if they have children, the babies would be more protected from disease. Specifically, women sniff for men's Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) which is the group of genes that affect the immune system.

So now you know one of the reasons you want your guy to smell good! And if you are a gal who has ever asked for a T-shirt from your boyfriend now you know why, and yes I have done that!!!

1Patti Wood

Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.