I do. I smell exactly like a sociopath, and you might too.
One line in and I’ve got you wondering, what type of odor do sociopaths give off, and why does Phil smell like one? That’s exactly what I want you to be thinking, because I’m a sociopath and I enjoy manipulating people.
So how exactly do sociopaths smell? Mostly like Axe body spray. Just kidding of course. Only a sociopath like me would slander a popular product and the millions of Tap Out t-shirt wearing, man-bun having guys who use it.
The truth is that sociopaths smell very badly. It’s kind of a minty eucalyptus smell mixed with mustard. No it’s not. Actually, I wouldn’t know what sociopaths smell like because I’m one of them. If you want to find a sociopath, follow your nose, unless you are a sociopath.
A clinical study showed that people with a poor sense of smell score highly on ratings of sociopathic tendencies. It seems that the area of the brain, the amygdala, that plays a part in social skills is also connected to our ability to differentiate smells.
At a meeting:
Normal person: Ewww! Who farted? Geez that’s terrible.
Sociopath: What? I don’t smell anything.
In that scenario the sociopath might be telling the truth, but is also lying because he did fart and didn’t care if it bothered anyone.
Imagine the usefulness of this information. At airports instead of pat downs, searching luggage and lengthy interviews, the security agents could now just blindfold the suspicious character and have him or her smell things.
Airport security: Ok, sir. Please step aside. We’re going to blindfold you and have you smell things. (Blindfolds sociopath) Ok, I’m going to put three things near your nose and I want you to tell me what they smell like. Here’s the first one:
Sociopath: Hmm…this is difficult. I think it smells like…umm… a rose.
Airport security: Nope. It was dog poop. Ok, here’s the next one…
Sociopath: Aaah…this is much better. I’m sure about this one. It’s got to be cinnamon.
Airport Security: (big sigh) No sir, that’s vinegar. Ok, you’ve got one more. Here it is…
Sociopath: Aha! Finally one I know. There’s no doubt about it. That’s Axe body spray and the scent is Phoenix. My favorite!
Airport security: Cuff him!
He was one in Gone Girl and might be one in real life. How could he cheat on poor, beautiful Jen?
Even though the study is about four years old, I heard this information this week and immediately thought of myself. All my life my sense of smell has been my weakest sense. Also, earlier this week I was discussing with a friend that almost habitually I’m thinking of crimes I could get away with if I was evil. A lot of times when I walk into a store I ‘case the joint’, noticing security cameras, exits etc. I previously thought that it was my writer’s mind gathering details that will be used with fictional characters in the future, but now I wonder if maybe I’m just a sociopath that hasn’t gone bad yet. Hmm… I wonder if a crime spree would boost sales of my books? See? That’s exactly what a sociopath would think! So, what about you? Do you smell like a sociopath?
Before I go, I want to give a shout out and big thank you to Suzanne of Suzie81Speaks for giving me a mention in her radio interview last week. If you don’t know her, give that link a click and go follow. She’s a great blogger.
Have a great weekend! ~Phil
Thanks so much for the shout out lovely!
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It’s the best I could do since I don’t get radio interviews
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I’m actually surprised; perhaps there’s a distinction between sociopaths and serial killers that I didn’t know existed. Because serial killers work painfully hard to be like everyone else.
Of course, if Axe body spray is an indication of sociopath proclivities, our American schools are full of them.
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I think all teenagers are sociopaths but most grow out of it as they mature
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Hmmm is this why everyone always asks me to check if the milk’s gone bad? Who knew?
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So you’re obviously not a sociopath! I didn’t think so
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well, what if I lied and said the milk is fine?
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LOL! This was a great one for a chuckle. Now I’ll always be suspicious of people who can’t smell things. I’ll know what they are! Thanks for the info!
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Casing the store is nothing. I case armored cars. Can you imagine knocking one off and getting away with $40 million in bearer bonds. Heh heh heh 😀
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I also notice when I see an armored truck unloading at a bank and I ponder how a robbery could be done.
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AH HA! I am not alone.
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Maybe we should team up to plan some capers!
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Good idea. I might need a friendly cell mate in the end. 😀
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Now I am wondering whether
My sociopath cologne was a smart business venture.
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Phew! I am not a sociopath, high-functioning or otherwise 😉
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I’d be very worried is someone named Suzy Homemaker was a sociopath!
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*sniff* Nope, don’t smell like a sociopath, but thanks for the reminder that I need to shower. *grin*
Awesome shout-out from Suzie!
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Nah, I got the nose of a bloodhound, man 😉
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I’m not surprised. You don’t seem like the sociopath type
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I absolutely needed to know. My answer is, maybe I smell like a sociopath, or maybe like someone stuffed up with allergies. An interesting study.
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OH, goody! I knew there was something I liked about you! I absolutely adore sociopaths. They make life so much more exciting.
I was slightly disappointed to learn that according to this study, I probably am not a sociopath, since my sense of smell is like that of a bitch, er female dog. :o))
Now I’m going to use this test on all the people I know. I will keep a secret score card.
Funny and kinda edja-muh-cational, cricket! Thanks for the laugh.
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