Evaluation of the effect of odor element on the perception of sites of memory by neurocognitive methods

The relationship between the concepts of memory and space dates back to Antiquity. The concept of memory space emerged in line with this relationship. Pierre Nora examined the concept of "memory spaces" from a broad perspective and has been the subject of numerous studies to date. This gap in the literature, which was identified by the fact that the factors effective in the perception and remembering of places have not yet been identified in these studies, constituted the working problem of the thesis. To examine this problem, the 'smell' factor, which is included in the subheading of physical and urban features of the space, was examined with the prediction that the factors affecting the perception of the space will also affect the perception and recall of the memory space. This thesis explored the scents of coffee, fish, and roses, and selected images of spaces associated with these scents to determine the impact of these scents on the perception and recall of space. Selecting these spaces, we considered the criteria for spaces that evoke these scents, have a place etched in social memory due to their location, have widespread and significant social impact, and are structural, urban, and intangible cultural heritage sites. Designed to examine the effects of odors, the thesis method examined the effect of odor on short-term individual memory, specifically focusing on the orbitofrontal cortex, associated with odor. For this purpose, EEG, eye tracking, evaluation score methods and 'Sniffin Sticks' test application were used in the thesis method. Each participant experienced both odorless and odorous images, and data from both experiences were recorded. The recorded data from the applied methods were analyzed using statistical or visualization methods specific to the method used. With the correlation of the data, meaningful evaluations could be made because of the thesis. Particularly, the findings obtained from eye tracking data revealed that the smell element is effective in the perception and memory of the place. Given this result, the scent element can be used as a trigger element in the perception and recall of memory spaces. Keywords: Memory space, spatial perception, odor, neurocognitive methods, EEG.