Psychopathy may be linked to impaired smell ability. - Polidicks

[quote="Globe & Mail"] Psychopaths have a remarkably poor sense of smell, according to a study published on Thursday. Researchers in Australia tested a theory that psychopathy – a severe personality disorder characterised by lack of empathy, antisocial behaviour and callousness – may be linked to impaired smell ability. Both phenomena have been independently traced to dysfunction in part of the brain called the orbito-frontal complex (OFC). Mehmet Mahmut and Richard Stevenson of the Department of Psychology at Sydney’s Macquarie University trialled the olfactory skills of 79 individuals, aged 19 to 21, who had been diagnosed as non-criminal psychopaths and lived in the community. Using “Sniffin’ Sticks” – 16 pens that contain different scents, such as orange, coffee and leather – they found the participants had problems in correctly identifying the smell, and then discriminating it against a different odour. Those who scored highest on a standard scorecard of psychopathic traits did worst on both counts, even though they knew that they were smelling something. The finding could be useful for identifying psychopaths, who are famously manipulative in the face of questioning, says the paper, published in the journal Chemosensory Perception. “Olfactory measures represent a potentially interesting marker for psychopathic traits, because performance expectancies are unclear in odour tests and may therefore be less susceptible to attempts to fake ‘good’ or ‘bad’ responses.” The OFC is a front part of the brain responsible for controlling impulses, planning and behaving in line with social norms. It also appears to be important in processing olfactory signals, although the precise function is unclear, according to previous research. Odour molecules bind to specific nerve cells in the base of the nose, which then send signals via the lateral olfactory tract to the primary olfactory cortex. From there, the signals go to OFC via a brain organ called the mediodorsal nucleus, located in the thalamus. The study makes clear that a poor sense of smell does not by itself mean that someone is a psychopath. Olfactory dysfunction can also occur in schizophrenia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, it notes. [/quote] Source: [URL]http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/science/do-you-have-a-poor-sense-of-smell-could-you-be-a-psychopath/article4556448/[/URL]

My family pretty much consists of smokers, so I atleast have a reason why I'm not so good at smelling things. That and I'm constantly snotty.

I have never had a great sense of smell. Does this mean something? :tinfoil:

So, psychopaths can't stop and smell the roses?

[QUOTE=Paramud;37739629]So, psychopaths can't stop and smell the roses?[/QUOTE] Now it all makes sense.

I've always had an acute sense of smell, so that's a good sign.

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[QUOTE=Van-man;37739409]My family pretty much consists of smokers, so I atleast have a reason why I'm not so good at smelling things. That and I'm constantly snotty.[/QUOTE] Is that the schizophrenia talking?

[QUOTE=Strider*;37739987]Is that the schizophrenia talking?[/QUOTE] Naaah, that's only when I'm having problems at deciding. Usually end up with cake or bacon in some weird way :v:

I have a terrible sense of smell. Clearly this disproves everything. .... right?

my mom seems to pick up smells that me and the rest of my family cant does this mean we are all psychopaths or that she's anti-psycho? Funnily enough she tends to fly into a rage more than anyone else in the family

[img]https://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWcXTXNRhhPyuUA410K3j4-T_5t4y4cvs75rvhtEcdIbHQ51HcH4zrE5c[/img] Pure-bread psychopath

I've never seen a pyschopath dog - theory 100% legit

[QUOTE]The study makes clear that a poor sense of smell does not by itself mean that someone is a psychopath. [B]Olfactory dysfunction can also occur in schizophrenia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, it notes[/B].[/QUOTE] I like how it tries to reassure people with a poor sense of smell, then goes on to say "But seriously something is wrong with you"

Huh, my mom and sister can smell things that my dad and I can't, does this mean that we are psychopaths then?

but I have anosmia...

[QUOTE=Greenen72;37740294]but I have anosmia...[/QUOTE] You are the greatest psychopath in all of human history then.

[QUOTE=FreddiRox!;37740187]I've never seen a pyschopath dog - theory 100% legit[/QUOTE] you've never interacted with a chihuahua

[QUOTE=TheHydra;37740341]you've never interacted with a chihuahua[/QUOTE] I've had Chihuahua's my whole life, Maybe one in ten aren't little yippy shit dogs.

[QUOTE=IliekBoxes;37740172][img]https://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWcXTXNRhhPyuUA410K3j4-T_5t4y4cvs75rvhtEcdIbHQ51HcH4zrE5c[/img] Pure-bread psychopath[/QUOTE] Pure-bread? :v: It's bred as in breed, not bread as in... unprocessed toast.

My sense of smell is ok...

The book 'Terminal Man' has a dude who trips into murderous rampages when he has seizures. Every time he was about to go nuts he'd start getting pissed about this strange smell. "There's that smell again, that damn smell! DAMN IT I HATE THAT SMELL!" -stabs woman with screwdriver across her chest and keeps stabbing across the floor and up the wall-

Unacceptable. I refuse to live in a world where psychopaths cannot utilize the phrase "I can smell your fear"

I'm a dangerous psychopath. My pompous useless nose drives my need for the rotten flesh of dead children born out of wedlock. [editline]21st September 2012[/editline] Probably because the only thing that is powerful enough for my nose to smell is the rotten flesh of dead children born out of wedlock, all salty and such. Tastes a bit gamey, though.

I doubt this would work for Sociopaths though as it can be caused environmentally while psychopathy is mostly linked to hereditary. Once again the sociopaths take the lead for ability to blend in until it is too late. Both conditions are fascinating to me, especially high functioning ones.

oh shit guys, throw me in prison before I do something bad

There is nothing wrong with me.

I have terrible eyesight and bad hearing but at least my sense of smell is above average. [editline]21st September 2012[/editline] [I]It's the only thing I have left![/I]

Well I used to be a bedwetter and I have a bad sense of smell Things are not looking good for me

i smell bullshit