Designing a Systematic Experiment to Investigate the Effect of Ambient Smell on Human Emotions in the Indoor Space; Introducing a Mixed-Method Approach

Abstract

AbstractStudies have indicated that built environments affect all aspects of human life such as emotion, perception, behavior, health, and well-being (Cooper et al. 2011). Built environments are formed from the combination and juxtaposition of visible and invisible environmental variables. In recent years, common techniques such as virtual reality, augmented reality, digital twins, and artificial intelligence have enabled researchers in the field of architecture and urban design to simulate environmental conditions to investigate the impacts of environmental variables on humans. However, the studies conducted in this field of human comfort are mostly focused on the impact of environmental variables such as form, temperature, humidity, and sound, and in fewer studies, up-to-date methods and technologies have been used to simulate and investigate the impact of smell on humans. Most of the studies that have investigated the effect of ambient smell on humans, carried out in the discipline of architecture and urban design, have used traditional tools and methods (questionnaire, interview, observation) rather than advanced technology and tools drawing on neuroscientific knowledge and technique to measure the effectiveness of the ambient smell on human. They have used unmasked scents or real-world environments rather than being able to simulate environmental conditions. This article highlights the significance and necessity of employing simulation methods to investigate the impact of environmental smells on humans. Additionally, it presents the methodology of an experiment for studying the effect of indoor environment smells (with a case study of an office environment in the initial phases) on human emotions, utilizing a mixed-method approach. Analysis of some parts of the data from this experiment showed that exposure to the fragrance of the jasmine flower pleasant (flower) and the odor of the rotten orange peel (unpleasant) can cause changes in the electroencephalography (EEG) power across different bands among participants.