The Sweaty T-Shirt Expirment
By: Claire Lavastida and Stella Burke
What is it?
- 1995
- Claus Wedekind
- Major Histocompatiblity Complex (MHC) gene
- Research type: Animal
- Lewis Thomas; 1974
Why?
To determine if humans could smell the MHC gene and if it actually affected their mate preference.
Steps in the Experiment
1st
Forty-four men slept in clean t-shirts for two nights. They were asked to use no deodorant, cologne, and scented soaps.
2nd
The t-shirts were given back to the scientists, and put it to boxes with holes cut in them for the women to smell
3rd
Forty-nine women then each smelled seven of the t-shirts, and rated them on intensity, pleasantness, and sexiness.
Results
Wedekind found that overall, the women preferred the scents of T-shirts worn by men whose MHC genes were opposite of their own.
Extras
- Many replications
- genepartner.com
Sweaty T-Shirts and Human Mate Choice