Behavioral and Neural Determinants of Odor Valence Perception

Abstract

This odor valenceperception chapter serves as an introduction to our current understanding of the stimulus-driven and experience-driven mechanisms, which give rise to affective evaluation of odorants. We will start by focusing on the potential evolutionary benefits of rapid elicitation of affective responses to odors and provide an overview of paradigms and approaches that can be used to quantify these experiences in an experimental setting. We will then outline evidence in favor of stimulus-driven and experience- or learning-driven accounts of odor valence perception, representing two prevalent theories. Finally, we provide an overview of the cortical networks that support the assignment of valence to odors.