Blame Pheromones?

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A recurring theme is that non-neurotypicals 'creep out' neurotypicals. But is this simply behavior-related? Possibly. But I believe there's another answer. Not in totality itself, but a contributing factor.

Scientists tell us that humans have a functioning Veromonasal organ (I could have told them that). THey also say that humans secrete pheromones and that humans act on these subconsciously, since they cannot actually consciously 'smell' them and pick out an odor.

So, what if much of the rejection an Aspie receives is based on scent? I don't mean unwashed B.O. (LOL), but perhaps something about us alerts the brains of a Neurotypical that something is 'off'? Perhaps 'evolutionarily speaking', Nature doesn't want aspies contributing their DNA to the gene pool for whatever reason?

Well if this is a factor, then it's a very small one compared to the more obvious factors (body language, personality, facial expressions, voice inflection, etc). Interesting theory though.

I would say it is a HUGE factor in this phenomenon we call "Just Friends". And that affects everybody. Also in 'inexplicable' rejections that the person can't articulate.

This assumes that there is a pheromonal difference. I don't think that's a reasonable assumption. There's nothing in any of the research so far to suggest that AS causes a pheromonal difference.

They haven't researched it enough to know for sure. I'm presenting it as a plausible theory. There's all sorts of things that can cause pheromonal differences. One of which is immunological factors. And given that a lot of rejection is inexplicable--the person does not consciously know why they don't want/like the person, it's at least a tenable, testable theory.

Hmmm... one needs only visit youtube in search of "aspergers" to notice a profound difference between AS pontificators and their NT counterparts. Then read the associated (inevtably nasty) comments below the AS profiles as compared to the ratio of nastiness aimed at the NT set. The AS group garners far more ire and dislike. Pheromones do not transmit via youtube.

But I would encourage you to test this out anyway, just as an exercise in research and socialization. Non-facetiously: Go to an event with saran wrap on your armpits and then attend a similar event without, for example. Take copious notes, compare reactions, report back. Of course, you need a way to control for whether psychological factors kick in when you are wrapped vs unwrapped (i.e. the "Axe effect"). This is just a suggestion, I leave the implementation of this as an exercise for the reader.

(Nice to see you still floating around, Janissy )

I have never encountered "inexplicable rejections". Most humans warm to me just fine. In fact most like me very well, at least as well as I allow them to know me. They don't seem to find me particularly odd until they've been around me for a while, and even then not in an offensive way.

I mean I've been turned down asking for dates and stuff, and that does seem 'chemical' to a certain extent, but I don't see that as connected with AS at all. That's just life.

The only people I meet who seem to dislike me from the git-go are Alpha-dog males who are uncomfortable with anyone who thinks outside their small box. It makes them feel inferior and inadequate (tiny brain complex).

Those men are not Alphas, they are merely angry Betas trying to be Alphas. . A true Alpha male is always happy to surround himself with intelligent people that are smarter than themselves because both parties can learn from each other, thus it is beneficial.

I'm an addict. This place place is just too wonderful. But I did cut back to two packs...I mean two posts a day.

someone should totally do a study. Where they grab a few NTs, and a few AS, and get them to have a small piece of cloth under their pits to sweat into. THen remove the cloth, but take note who it is from. Then expose the cloths to various people of both genders and see whether there is a pronounced difference in whether they could actually choose the NT sweat over AS sweat.

I agree with MountZion. I would add that angry betas (not the fish*) are not nice to be around, especially the ones who believe they're alphas. Though, I don't think it's just a guy thing, I think women do the pretend Alpha thing too, just that it's subtle but still unpleasant.


(*Betta splendens fish are a different matter altogether)

Women do the 'queen bee' thing. Fortunately I never really ran across that growing up.

If this pheromone thing is true, then maybe we have a solution. Numerous web sites around the internet sell those pheromone-laced colognes, which are supposed to attract the opposite sex and make the same sex feel comfortable around you. I'm sure there are review sites for those vendors. Sure, it's doubtful, but just might be worth a try.