What was once a response of the body to defend us from the cold is now the manifestation of an emotional surge. What exactly is goosebumps? Why do we get goosebumps when we listen to a song? It is an experience many people have but is not common to everybody: according to research published in The Conversation magazine, one third of the world's population does not feel that shiver down their spine when listening to a piece of music they love. Goosebumps are a reaction of the epidermis to the cold: peripheral blood vessels contract to retain heat, while tiny piloerector muscles pull the hairs upright, creating a protective barrier. Since we invented clothing and have lost most of our fur, this physiological reaction is more of a memory from our evolutionary past, but it has been readjusted as a manifestation of emotional states.
What makes us so sensitive to music and why do some people not show these symptoms? Researchers link the ability to experience goosebumps with individuals who have an open personality and an active imagination. Shivers often ripple across the skin of those who are curious and appreciative of variety. Music is not the only trigger for such thrills: many people also experience goosebumps when viewing a painting, a sculpture, or admiring a sunset or a breathtaking landscape. According to researchers who measured the skin's electrical activity in a group of people while they listened to various pieces of music, shivers occur when there are changes in rhythm or melody, such as during an instrumental solo, when a choir joins in, or when a singer hits a high-pitched note. Then there is the aspect of how music evokes memories, often bringing them back vividly; however, this is another area still to be explored.
