What term describes odors that people believe they smell based on experiences and past impressions?

The term that best describes odors that people believe they smell based on experiences and past impressions is "Psychological Odor." This concept recognizes that an individual's perception of odor is influenced by memories, associations, and personal experiences rather than by the actual presence of an odor.

When people encounter a specific situation, environment, or object that they have previously associated with a particular scent, their brain may trigger a perception of that odor, even if it is not present. This phenomenon is rooted in how memory and sensory perception interact. Therefore, it’s not just about the physical molecules interacting with olfactory receptors; it also involves cognitive processes that shape how one perceives smells based on their past.

In contrast, heightened awareness involves being more alert to odors, but it doesn't specifically indicate that a person believes they are smelling something based on past experiences. False odor and imaginary odor don’t accurately capture the phenomenon where past experiences create an odor perception; these terms may suggest a more complete absence of smell or a complete fabrication of smell, which does not encompass the idea of perception influenced by memories.