Gender differences in long-term odor recognition memory: verbal versus sensory influences and the consistency of label use

Abstract

Fifty-six subjects were tested for odor recognition memory with a two-alternative forced choice test for retention intervals up to 21 days. Women performed better than men on a recognition memory test for all retention intervals. Analysis of consistency of label use revealed no advantage for females. Furthermore, use of signal detection methodology for recognition memory shows that the superiority is likely due to sensory rather than cognitive factors. Analysis of label use showed that consistently labeled odors are better remembered than inconsistently labeled odors, but inconsistently labeled odors are significantly recognizeable above chance level, for both men and women.