Story perspectives

Study Links Body Odor to Perceived Male Dominance

11/14/2025

34 8

Summary

Story summary

University of Victoria researchers found that body odor linked to higher testosterone led observers to rate men with elevated testosterone as more socially dominant based on scent after 797 people evaluated the scents.
The study involved 76 male volunteers who provided worn shirts and saliva samples.
Testosterone predicted dominance perceptions but did not correlate with perceived prestige.
The findings suggest scent may convey social status, warranting research across diverse populations.

1 of 1

Story summary

University of Victoria researchers found that body odor linked to higher testosterone led observers to rate men with elevated testosterone as more socially dominant based on scent after 797 people evaluated the scents.
The study involved 76 male volunteers who provided worn shirts and saliva samples.
Testosterone predicted dominance perceptions but did not correlate with perceived prestige.
The findings suggest scent may convey social status, warranting research across diverse populations.