Mazes and smells Can pleasant smells improve learning? Researchers timed 21 subjects as they tried to complete paper-and-pencil mazes. Each subject attempted a maze both with and without the presence of a floral aroma. Subjects were randomized with respect to whether they did the scented trial first or second. Some of the data collected are shown in the table. Is there any evidence that the floral scent improved the subjects’ ability to complete the mazes? (A. R. Hirsch and L. H. Johnston, “Odors and Learning.” Chicago: Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation)

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Time to Complete Unscented 25.7 41.9 51.9 32.2 64.7 31.4 40.1 43.2 33.9 40.4 58.0 61.5 44.6 35.3 37.2 39.4 77.4 52.8 63.6 56.6 58.9 the Maze (sec) Scented 30.2 56.7 42.4 34.4 44.8 42.9 42.7 24.8 25.1 59.2 42.2 48.4 32.0 48.1 33.7 42.6 54.9 64.5 43.1 52.8 44.3