To investigate the potential role of androstadienone (AND) and estratetraenol (EST) as human pheromones, 96 participants of varying sexual orientations were recruited. Over three days, they were exposed to a jar containing either AND, EST, or a placebo, with each substance mixed into cloves.
Placebo
EST
AND
bisexual/homosexual female
heterosexual male
homosexual male
heterosexual female
Glide: 2
.
Participants viewed a series of point-light walking figures representing the human body in motion, but without any identifiable gender. After viewing each figure for half a second, they were asked to judge whether the figure was male or female.
Glide: 3
The findings revealed distinct patterns based on sexual orientation. Heterosexual males exposed to EST were more likely to identify figures as female. Heterosexual females and homosexual males exposed to AND were more likely to judge the figures as male. However, the results for bisexual or homosexual females were less conclusive, suggesting pheromones may influence gender perception, but not uniformly across all sexual orientations.