The fondness for the smell of the seaside makes you travel to the seaside more, the affection for the smell of bread makes you stop by at bakeries more, or the preference for the smell of new cars encourage you to save up to purchase a car. My question is, does the aroma of books, to some extent, lead people to read? How and to what extent does it affect our reading experience? To what extent is reading a multisensory experience, particularly smell, as opposed to a purely cognitive one? If it does shape our reading experience, how and why?
The reason I chose this topic was that the smell is one sense from five senses that technology hasn’t been able to recreate, yet. I’m definitely not trying to argue that printed books outweigh e-books and call for abandoning kindle. This paper started with my curiosity about how the volatile digression products of paper and hundred of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the book contribute to the pleasure of reading and result in the act of acquiring knowledge. Therefore, I conducted a survey among 25 students and studied the online discussion thread of the smell of books. This essay will consist of two parts: 1. the aroma’s internal influence: how do we feel about reading 2. its external function: how it affects how we present ourselves to the public.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Aroma's Internal Influence: How Do We Feel About Reading
- Its External Function: How It Affects How We Present Ourselves to the Public
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the role of multisensoriality, particularly the smell of books, in our reading experience. It investigates how the aroma of books influences our feelings about reading and how it affects our public image. The study examines the relationship between smell and cognition, exploring whether reading is a purely cognitive or a multisensory experience.
- The influence of smell on reading preferences and enjoyment.
- The connection between the smell of books and personal and cultural experiences.
- The role of multisensoriality in shaping our reading experience.
- The impact of smell on our public image and how we present ourselves to others.
- The comparison between printed books and e-books in terms of sensory experience.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter delves into the internal influence of the aroma of books, examining how individuals perceive and react to the smell. It presents survey results that highlight the prevalence of noticing and appreciating the smell of books among student readers. The chapter also explores the relationship between sensory and cognitive experiences in reading, uncovering the significance of multisensoriality for a significant portion of readers.
The second chapter examines the external function of the smell of books, exploring how it contributes to our public image and how we present ourselves to others. It delves into the potential cultural and personal associations linked to the aroma of books, suggesting a connection between smell and identity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Multisensoriality, smell of books, reading experience, sensory perception, cognitive experience, cultural influence, public image, printed books, e-books, volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the smell of books influence the reading experience?
Yes, the aroma of books, caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributes significantly to the pleasure of reading for many people and can even encourage the act of reading.
Is reading a purely cognitive experience?
No, the research suggests that reading is a multisensory experience where sensory perceptions like smell and touch play a crucial role alongside cognition.
Why can't technology replicate the smell of books?
The smell is one of the five senses that current technology, like e-readers, hasn't been able to convincingly recreate, which is why printed books still hold a unique sensory appeal.
How does the smell of books affect our public image?
The essay explores how the preference for physical books and their smell can be a way of presenting oneself to the public, linking sensory habits to identity and cultural status.
What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in books?
VOCs are chemical compounds released as paper and ink age, creating the distinct "old book" or "new book" smell that readers often find nostalgic or pleasant.
What was the methodology of this study?
The author conducted a survey among 25 students and analyzed online discussion threads to understand the emotional and practical impact of the aroma of books.
- Quote paper
- Zhengqing Cheng (Author), 2016, What role does the multisensoriality, particularly the smell of books, play in our reading experience?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/354514
