Psychophysical Testing of Human Olfactory Function

Abstract

This chapter is an up-to-date review of psychophysical means for testing the human sense of smell. Strengths and weaknesses of major psychophysical paradigms are discussed, including ones associated with the measurement of odor detection, discrimination, identification, memory and both suprathreshold intensity and pleasantness assessment. Factors that influence olfactory test results are discussed in detail, including the influences of test parameters, such as test length, on test reliability. It is pointed out that non-forced-choice tests, unlike forced–choice tests, are incapable of discerning subject biases and malingering. Issues related to the comparison and interpretation of test results from nominally disparate tests that differ in sensitivity, reliability, operational demands, and other factors are discussed.