Abstract
The present study focused on the effects of lavender and peppermint ambient odor on compliance and volunteerism. It was hypothesized that participants exposed to peppermint oil versus lavender oil versus no odor would be likely to render behaviors commensurate with the properties (either stimulating or calming) of that odor. Sixty undergraduate students participated by answering a questionnaire that had been saturated or not saturated with odor. Helping behavior was assessed by the participants' willingness to take part in a brief telephone survey and to mail back food labels. Significant results were obtained for odor on both compliance and willingness to volunteer. Post hoc analyses found the peppermint group to be significantly more compliant and willing to volunteer than the lavender group and significantly more willing to volunteer than the no odor group. Significant results were also obtained when participants' age was analyzed with regard to volunteerism but not for compliance.
