THE EFFECT OF AROMATIC SCENT TO

MEMORY RECALL

Submitted by:
Jareen Caban
Noreen Laserna

Submitted to:
Prof.Leslie Gazzingan

I. Title
The Effect of Aromatic Scent on Memory Recall
 II. Introduction

Aromatherapy can improve memory, recall and concentration. Researchers

have learned that memory recall doubles when a past event is associated with a

recognizable smell. Psychologists refer to the experience of smell stimulating memory

as the “Marcel Proust phenomenon.” One is the influence of aroma on the brain,

especially the limbic system through the olfactory system.

Since ancient times, the herb rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) was well used by

different people. The small evergreen shrub and its oil were used by the Roman

students to massage their foreheads before taking examinations. And in medieval

times, rosemary was considered a love charm that would help a couple remember their

wedding vows. Traditional uses of rosemary include: to energize, to ease tension, to

relieve headaches, brighten mood and to improve mental clarity.

III. Hypothesis

This experiment aimed to determine the effect of aromatic scent to memory

recall. Specifically, it attempts to answer the question:

1. If aromatic scent really improves memory recall?

Hypothesis

Aromatic scent impairs memory recall.

I. Variables

Independent Variable

Aromatic scent has three levels which are with rosemary scent,

(Rosemary scent) without rosemary scent and a placebo

scent
 Dependent Variable

Memory recall being measured if it will change after exposing

the participants with the independent

variable

Control Variables

Smell acuity participants should have no colds

IQ level the experimenters chose participants with one

specific IQ level; Poor IQ level

Educational level participants are all freshmen students

Random Variables

Course participants came from different courses such as

Legal Studies, Psychology and Computer

Science

Gender both males and females were included as

participants

Age participants ‘age ranges from 16 years old to 18

years old

II. Definition of Terms

Aromatic scent refers to rosemary scent

Memory Recall the ability of the participants to retrieve the words

based on the list given by the experimenter

Free Recall participants recall the words in the order that they

wanted
 Placebo a mixture of 1 drop rosemary scent and 1 vial of

water

III. Experimental Design

The experimental design used was multilevel experimental design. It is a

single variable experiment presenting three or more levels of the independent

variable. It is also called functional experiment by some investigators because it

allows the experimenter to get some idea of the shape of the function relating the

independent variable to the dependent variable.

In demand characteristics, the experimenters used the placebo effect in

control group 1. This was done by mixing 1 vial of water to 1 drop of rosemary

scent.

IV. Conduct of the Experiment Procedure

• The experimenters identified first who were the qualified participants.

• Culture Fair Intelligence Test was administered to the possible

participants.

• Upon completion of the tests, the experimenters have chosen the

students with poor IQ level based on the results of their test.

• The qualified participants were divided into three groups namely the

experimental group, control group 1 and control group 2. Random

assignment was utilized to form different groups by the use of three

different colors of sticks which were picked by each participants to

determine which group they will be into.

• When the subjects were ready, the experimenters presented a list of

three letter words for them to memorize. Time of exposure to the list
 was 30 seconds. After the presentation of the list, subjects were given

60 seconds to write all the words that they can remember in any order.

• The experimenters followed the same procedure to the other groups.

• Three days after the participants were given the list of words, the

experimental group was exposed to the rosemary scent for 15 minutes.

The same procedure was done with control group 1 with their placebo

scent. After 15 minutes, the experimental group and control group 1

were given the same list of words as their posttest. Control group 2

with no exposure to rosemary scent immediately received the list of

words as their posttest.

• Scores of the three groups were compared, computed and tabulated

using the appropriate statistical treatment.

I. Results with Computation

t - test for correlated samples

t=DΣD2-ΣDn2n(n-1)

D = the difference between the pretest and post test

∑D²= sum of square of difference between pretest and post
∑D = summations of difference between pretest and post test
N = sample size

t - test for independent samples

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )

N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2
 t = the t-test

X1= the mean of group 1

X2= the mean of group 2

SS1= the sum of squares of group 1

SS2= the sum of squares of group 2

N1 = the no. of observations in group 1

N2 = the no. of observations in group 2

Table 1

Results of the Experimental Group

Experimental Pretest Post test D D2

Group
Participant 1 4 6 -2 4
Participant 2 6 7 -1 1
Participant 3 5 7 -2 4
Total 15 20 ΣD= -5 ΣD2= 9

t=DΣD2-ΣDn2n(n-1)

t=-1.679--5323(3-1)

t=-1.679-8.336

t=-1.670.676

t=-1.670.112

t = - 1,67 CV (-5.061) > tv (4.303)

0.33 * reject Ho *

t = -5.061 There is a significant difference on the results of

df= n-1 = 3 – 1 = 2 the pretest and posttest on memory recall of
tabular value α .05 = 4.303 the participants in the experimental group.

Table 2
 Results of the Controlled Group 1

Controlled Pretest Post test D D2

Group 1
Participant 1 6 5 1 1
Participant 2 5 4 1 1
Participant 3 5 3 2 4
Total 16 12 ΣD= 4 ΣD2= 6
t=DΣD2-ΣDn2n(n-1)

t=-1.336-4323(3-1)

t=-1.336-5.336

t=-1.330.676

t=-1.330.112

t = - 1,33 CV (-3.982) < tv (4.303)

0.334 * accept Ho *

t = -3.982 There is no significant difference on the results

df= n-1 = 3 – 1 = 2 of the pretest and posttest on memory recall of
tabular value α .05 = 4.303 the participants in control group 1.

Table 3

Results of the Controlled Group 2

Controlled Pretest Post test D D2

Group 2
Participant 1 5 3 2 4
Participant 2 4 4 0 0
Participant 3 4 3 1 1
Total 13 10 ΣD= 3 ΣD2= 5

t=DΣD2-ΣDn2n(n-1)

t=15-3323(3-1)

t=15-36

t=126

t=10.333

t=1 df= n-1= 3 – 1 = 2

 0.577
= 1.733 tabular value α .05 = 4.303

CV (1.733) < tv (4.303) * accept Ho *

There is no significant difference on the results of the pretest and posttest on memory

recall of the participants in control group 2.

Table 4

Pretest Results of Experimental Group and Controlled Group 1

Pretest of EG X12 Pretest of CG1 X22

4 16 6 36
6 36 5 25
5 25 5 25
ΣX1= 15 ΣX12= 77 ΣX2= 16 ΣX22= 86

X1 = ΣX1 X2 = ΣX2
N1 N2

= 15 / 3 = 16 / 3

=5 = 5.33

SS1 = ΣX12 – (ΣX1)2 SS2 = ΣX22 – (ΣX2)2

N1 N2

= 77 – (15)2 = 86 – (16)2

3 3

= 77 – 75 = 86 – 85.33

=2 = 0.67

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )

N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2

= 5 – 5.33_____________
√ (2 + 0.67) ( 1 + 1 )
 3+3–2 3 3

= -0.33____
√(2.67) (0.66)

= -0.33______

√(0.6675) (0.66)

= -0.33_____

√0.44055

= -0.33_____ df = N1 + N2 - 2

0.664 =3+3–2 =4

= -0.497 tabular value α .05 = 2.776

CV (-0.497) < tv (2.776) * accept Ho *

There is no significant difference on the results of the pretest on memory recall of the

participants in the experimental group and control group 1.

Table 5

Pretest Results of Experimental Group and Control Group 2

Pretest of EG X12 Pretest of CG2 X22

4 16 5 25
6 36 4 16
5 25 4 16
ΣX1= 15 ΣX12= 77 ΣX2= 13 ΣX22= 57

X1 = ΣX1 X2 = ΣX2
N1 N2

= 15 / 3 = 13 / 3
 =5 = 4.33

SS1 = ΣX12 – (ΣX1)2 SS2 = ΣX22 – (ΣX2)2

N1 N2

= 77 – (15)2 = 57 – (13)2

3 3

= 77 – 75 = 57 – 56.33

=2 = 0.67

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )

N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2

= 5 – 4.33_____________
√ (2 + 0.67) ( 1 + 1 )

3+3–2 3 3

= 0.67____
√(2.67) (0.66)

= 0.67______

√(0.6675) (0.66)

= 0.67____

√0.44055

= 0.67_____ df = N1 + N2 - 2

0.664 =3+3–2 =4

= 1.009 tabular value α .05 = 2.776

CV (1.009) < tv (2.776) * accept Ho *

There is no significant difference on the results of the pretest on memory recall of the

participants in the experimental group and control group 2.

 Table 6

Pretest Results of Control Group1 and Control Group 2

Pretest of CG1 X12 Pretest of CG2 X22

6 36 5 25
5 25 4 16
5 25 4 16
ΣX1= 16 ΣX12= 86 ΣX2= 13 ΣX22= 57

X1 = ΣX1 X2 = ΣX2
N1 N2

= 16 / 3 = 13 / 3

= 5.33 = 4.33

SS1 = ΣX12 – (ΣX1)2 SS2 = ΣX22 – (ΣX2)2

N1 N2

= 86 – (16)2 = 57 – (13)2

3 3

= 86 – 85.33 = 57 – 56.33

= 0.67 = 0.67

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )

N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2

= 5.33 – 4.33_____________
√ (0.67 + 0.67) ( 1 + 1 )

3+3–2 3 3

= 1____
√(1.34) (0.66)

= 1______

√(0.335) (0.66)
 = 1_____

√0.2211

= 1_____ df = N1 + N2 - 2

0.470 =3+3–2 =4

= 2.128 tabular value α .05 = 2.776

CV (2.128) < tv (2.776) * accept Ho *

There is no significant difference on the results of the pretest on memory recall of the

participants in control group 1 and control group 2.

Table 7

Post test Results of Experimental Group and Control Group 1

Post test of EG X12 Post test of CG1 X22

6 36 5 25
7 49 4 16
7 49 3 9
ΣX1= 20 ΣX12= 134 ΣX2= 12 ΣX22= 50

X1 = ΣX1 X2 = ΣX2
N1 N2

= 20 / 3 = 12 / 3

= 6.67 =4

SS1 = ΣX12 – (ΣX1)2 SS2 = ΣX22 – (ΣX2)2

N1 N2

= 134 – (20)2 = 50 – (12)2

3 3

= 134 – 133.33 = 50 – 48

= 0.67 =2

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )
 N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2

= 6.67 – 4____________
√ ( 0.67 + 2) ( 1 + 1 )

3+3–2 3 3

= 2.67____
√(2.67) (0.66)

= 2.67______

√(0.6675) (0.66)

= 2.67_____

√0.44055

= 2.67____ df = N1 + N2 - 2

0.664 =3+3–2 =4

= 4.021 tabular value α .05 = 2.776

CV (4.021) > tv (2.776) * reject Ho *

There is a significant difference on the results of the posttest on memory recall of the

participants in the experimental group and control group 1.

Table 8

Post test Results of Experimental Group and Control Group 2

Post test of EG X12 Post test of CG2 X22

6 36 3 9
7 49 4 16
7 49 3 9
ΣX1= 20 ΣX12= 134 ΣX2= 10 ΣX22= 34
X1 = ΣX1 X2 = ΣX2
N1 N2

= 20 / 3 = 10 / 3

= 6.67 = 3.33

SS1 = ΣX12 – (ΣX1)2 SS2 = ΣX22 – (ΣX2)2

N1 N2

= 134 – (20)2 = 34 – (10)2

3 3

= 134 – 133.33 = 34 – 33.33

= 0.67 = 0.67

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )

N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2

= 6.67 – 3.33_____________
√ (0.67 + 0.67) ( 1 + 1 )

3+3–2 3 3

= 3.34____
√(1.34) (0.66)

= 3.34______

√(0.335) (0.66)

= 3.34_____

√0.2211

= 3.34_____ df = N1 + N2 - 2

0.470 =3+3–2 =4

= 7.106 tabular value α .05 = 2.776

CV (7.106) > tv (2.776) * reject Ho *

There is a significant difference on the results of the posttest on memory recall of the

participants in the experimental group and control group 2.

Table 9

Post test Results of Control Group1 and Control Group 2

Post test of CG1 X12 Post test of CG2 X22

5 25 3 9
4 16 4 16
3 9 3 9
ΣX1= 12 ΣX12= 50 ΣX2= 10 ΣX22= 34

X1 = ΣX1 X2 = ΣX2
N1 N2

= 12 / 3 = 10 / 3

=4 = 3.33

SS1 = ΣX12 – (ΣX1)2 SS2 = ΣX22 – (ΣX2)2

N1 N2

= 50 – (12)2 = 34 – (10)2

3 3

= 50 – 48 = 34 – 33.33

=2 = 0.67

t = X1 - X2_________
√ (SS1 + SS2) ( 1 + 1 )

N1 + N2– 2 N1 N2

= 4 – 3.33_____________
√ (2 + 0.67) ( 1 + 1 )

3+3–2 3 3

= 0.67____
√(2.67) (0.66)
 4

= 0.67______

√(0.6675) (0.66)

= 0.67____

√0.44055

= 0.67_____ df = N1 + N2 - 2

0.664 =3+3–2 =4

= 1.009 tabular value α .05 = 2.776

CV (1.009) < tv (2.776) * accept Ho *

There is no significant difference on the results of the posttest on memory recall of the

participants in control group 1 and control group 2.

II. Implications of Results based on Research Literature

Rosemary has recently been shown to help keep brain cells healthy. It has also

been shown to improve mental performance. In one study, “rosemary produced a

significant enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory and secondary

memory factors”.

Aroma-memory associations tend to be powerful and enduring. A scent can

actually improve one’s ability to recall information. One study compared participants’

performance on a cognitive assessment battery of tests while the subjects were

exposed to diffuse a “relaxing” essential oil, lavender, a “stimulating” essential oil,

rosemary, or no odor. Those in the lavender group showed a decrease in memory

performance. The subjects who were exposed to rosemary showed enhanced memory

performance as compared to the control group.

 Sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia), traditionally known to help memory and brain

function, was given to test subjects to take internally in the form of essential oil-filled

capsules. The young adults participating in this study were given either sage essential

oil capsules or placebo capsules. On word-recall tests, the participants who had

received the sage capsules performed significantly better.

In the cognition study using lavender and rosemary, mentioned above, it was

reported that participants in the lavender group were significantly less alert than those in

the rosemary group. This supports the traditional use of lavender as a more calming

essential oil, and rosemary as a more invigorating essential oil.

Lavender and rosemary were used in another study, where participants’ EEG

activity, alertness, and mood were evaluated after three minutes of application by

inhalation. Those in the lavender group felt less depressed and more relaxed, and had

EEG activity suggestive of increased drowsiness. Those in the rosemary group had

EEG activity which was suggestive of a more alert state. The participants who had

rosemary aromatherapy also felt more relaxed and had lower anxiety scores. The

participants in this study were given math computations before and after receiving

aromatherapy. After aromatherapy, those in the lavender group did the math problems

more quickly and more accurately, while those in the rosemary group did the problems

more quickly but not more accurately.

Another study seeks to test whether the scent of rosemary can actually improve

short-term memory as measured by a number-recollection test. Subjects are read

number sequences of increasing length and try to repeat the sequences from memory.

Subjects are then given a sprig of rosemary, instructed to sniff it and are read a different

set of sequences which they try to repeat. Tests results are compared.
 To minimize the effect aging can have on memory, it was important that the

subjects were all about the same age- in this case, all 12 year olds. Three were females

and three were males. It was also important that subjects had not used a scent of any

kind or consumed food in the past hour. Subjects were asked to wash their hands

before the test.

Since the ability to recall a number is influenced by the number’s position on the

list, they factored in that the first and last numbers would be the most accurately

remembered. Each subject was tested individually, out of sight and sound of other

subjects, and subjects were allowed a 1-minute break between tests.

When the subjects used rosemary, their recall seemed considerably improved.

This was reflected in each subject’s recalling more numbers from the longer sequences

in the first set- both with and without rosemary. However, without rosemary, only one

subject could recall 8 numbers in sequence from the second set. After smelling the

rosemary, five subjects correctly repeated 8 numbers in the second set and one

recalled all 9 numbers.

Subjects reported that they enjoyed the scent of the rosemary and that it helped

relax them during the test. It may be that relaxation alone is enough for the brain to do

its best remembering.

Scent and Memory

Scientists tell us that our memory retention is much stronger when linked to smell

than to sight. A whiff of certain fragrances often brings to mind images and feeling that

are associated with a particular event. Psychology professor Trygg Engen of Brown

University in Providence, Rhode Island, and author of Odor Sensation and Memory and

Perception of Odor found that the memory recall associated with scent is at least twice
as potent as that of visual recall. That’s why a whiff of a certain perfume or some other

fragrance that you haven’t smelled for years will propped you back in time. With that

scent comes everything associated with the original aromatic experience: sights,

sounds and emotional impressions. Engen says that smells serve as “index keys” to

quickly retrieve certain memories in our brain. He supports the “nurture” theory over

“nature” argument, believing that all smells are initially perceived as neutral and that we

each learn to regard scents as pleasant or unpleasant, then retain that information in

our memories.

Rosemary has a long history of increasing memory concentration, and even

creativity. In the last act of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the mad Ophelia declares, “There’s

rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” In the seventeenth century, herbalist Nicholas

Culpeper wrote that rosemary helps a weak memory, and quickens the senses. Modern

research conducted in Japan confirms rosemary as a brain stimulant. As an antioxidant,

it slows the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. This important neurotransmitter is

found at low levels in Alzheimer’s patients.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can improve memory, recall and concentration. Researchers have

learned that memory recall doubles when a past event is associated with a recognizable

smell. The essential oil from rosemary has a reputation for increasing memory,

concentration and even creativity. Carnosol, a component of rosemary is a phenolic

compound that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

A British study at the Human Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of

Northumbria examined the cognitive performance of 144 participants by dividing them

into three groups: 1) exposed to the essential oil lavender, 2) exposed to the essential
oil rosemary, 3) exposed to a placebo with no odor. Those in the rosemary group

showed enhanced memory performance as compared to those in the lavender and

placebo groups.

III. Figures and material used

Pretest Experimental Group: Treatment (with rosemary scent) Post test

Pretest Control Group 1: Placebo Post test

Pretest Control Group 2: without treatment Post test

Materials:

Culture Fair Intelligence Test

Rosemary essential oil Burner Dropper

Candle Lighter pencil/Ballpen

Data sheet Stopwatch

Answer sheet 1 vial of Water

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Huffman, Karen (2007). Psychology in Action. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Vecchione,Glen (2005). Blue Ribbon Science Fair Projects. Sterling Publishing

Company, Inc., page 54-55

Keville, K. & Green, M. (2009). Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

2nd Edition, The Crossing Press,

Fredricks, Randi (2008). Healing and Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative

Therapies for Mental Health. AuthorHouse, page 370

Martin, David (2004). Doing Psychology Experiments. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning
Belmont CA

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