Talk:Goose bumps/Archive 1

Archive 1

Why

why do people get goose bumps? I am supposed to find out for a project and i need help. Thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.116.67.30 (talk) 20:02, 1 September 2005‎ (UTC)

Because they evolved from animals for which the reflex was useful: it keeps those animals warm by trapping insulating air under their fur, and it makes them look bigger in the face of enemies. AxelBoldt 19:40, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

I think there's still some interesting parts about this that has yet to be uncovered in the article, such as why goose bumps can be triggered by music evoking emotions (and not necessarily scary ones), intense pleasure, or when one is in awe of something [1]. I think there are several examples of goose bumps not being triggered by cold or fear. Unfortunately, I couldn't find information here on this subject and the "why's", so it's something I believe could be worth adding at some point. -- Jugalator 21:52, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

Interesting to note, I got these by reading this article. I had mentioned them in an IM prior in regards to a live concert of video game music which also gave them to me [quite strongly], and spurred me to find and read this article in the first place. --PidGin128 03:11, 21 February 2006 (EST)

I think Goose bumps are much more significant than simply being a lingering evolutionary response. As the above two have said, beautiful music often stimulates this reaction, especially music you have not heard before, or music that seems to "fit" the situation, such as well-edited movie music. It would be great if someone knowledgeable in this area were to enlighten us. --Jabogan 00:55, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

Calling anything vestigial is kind of a cop-out. Best to present at least SOME possible use. Consider, for example, that most (if not all, in the case of skin?) hair follicles are attached to sensory nerve endings near their base (like whiskers on some mammals). When hairs are moved or bent, therefore, a sensation is perceived. When hairs stand on end, thus exposing more of themselves to the environment, they may be in a better position to detect tactile stimuli around the body (or on the surface of the organism itself), which would be a useful trait during a fight-or-flight response. Perhaps they could even sense subtle vibrations in the air? It's easier to feel the wind on a cold day when your arm hairs get blown around. Similar hair-like structures are used in the ear to perceive sound, another type of air-borne vibration (albeit a much more specialized structure than actual hair follicles). When hairs move against the skin or each other, they probably also receive some stimulus that could be used by the brain as a part of kinesthetic awareness (knowing the place and position of each part of the body). It could be the body's way of checking up on its exposed surface area. All of this is just hypothesizing on my own, I don't know of any studies that could be cited as sources. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.172.28.111 (talk) 03:34, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

I would also like to know why certain emotions evoked by music can give you goosebumps. I just got goosebumps while singing an old song that had a lot of personal meaning -- what causes this?! Roastporkbun (talk) 04:54, 7 July 2009 (UTC)

Voluntary

Why do I get goose bumps? I don't know why, but I can do it voluntarily. It sounds like a joke, but I'm serious about it. Hoped someone could explain it scientifically. Thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.87.220.30 (talk) 12:03, 4 August 2006‎ (UTC)

The thing is... you're not actually invoking yourself to have goose bumps, you just know what thought or feeling triggers them. It's like an erection... Wanting an erection doesn't give you one (unless it qualifies under what I'm about to say), but thinking about something that sexually arouses you does give you one.Bryanedp9 21:42, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for your explanation. I agree partially with what you wrote. I indeed know what feeling triggers them, otherwise I wouldn't be able to control it. But I certainly don't need to think about anything to do that. It just comes off straight away. I can get goose bumps the same way I raise my arms. Someday I'm gonna post a video of what I'm saying on YouTube, you know! 13:44, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

I find them pleasurable Pendragon39 (talk) 04:48, 4 February 2009 (UTC)

Sensory function

Hair has a sensory function; if something moves or vibrates hairs we feel it. Goose bumps, by causing the hairs to stand more erect, extend that sensory function to it's maximum distance beyond the skin. They also cause hairs to part and separate which reduces the dampening of movement of hair shafts from being laid against each other, thus increasing sensitivity to small impulses. This happens, curiously enough, during moments of fright or emotional arousal when sensory sensitivity is most valuable. Coincidence? I doubt it.

I'd edit this article to reflect this function except I can't find any mention of goose bumps impacting hair's sensory function. I've found articles that do verify the existence of hair's sensory function although to me it's so obvious it rates as self evident. What's more remarkable to me is that so many people, who live their lives immersed in the sensory feelings that come from hairs, fail to recognise it. Wind in the hair, the brush of cloth, buzzing insects that in my case have to make a serious effort to push past the hairs on legs or arms to even touch skin are all clearly felt through those hairs. Not directly of course, but by transferring the impulse to the hair follicle nerves and other receptors within the skin.Ken Fabos (talk) 21:01, 3 October 2010 (UTC)

Alopecia and goose bumps

So I've got Alopecia- not a hair on my body (Nor in my nose or ears for that matter).It's all fairly new, about 8 months now.Still making new discoveries about how it effects my day to day. I was ammused the other day to discover that in a true "Goose Bump Moment", that I don't get Goose bumps- 'cause i've got no hairs to raise. In reading your explaination of what a goose bump is, I now wonder if I still have the muscles that you describe that push the hairs up. In that 'goose bump moment, I did feel a tingle, looked for the effect, giggled that there are no hairs standing up,nor the pimple effect, and now I'm wondering if the tingle was a " ghost" of the hair folicles, if it was purely emotional , or now, I wonder if it's the muscles that you describe having an effect on the under-side of the skin making the tingle feeling.

"I can do it too Very easily" Bryan —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.136.25.72 (talk) 19:28, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Looking foreward to hear what you can tell me about those muscles. Sincerely, "Turtles" —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 89.139.22.192 (talk) 15:38, 27 April 2007 (UTC).

Typically, contraction of a muscle requires something to pull upon. With a lack of hair follicles, it's likely that you lack what the muscles pull against. Thus, you don't get the goose bumps. The tingling feeling is likely unrelated to the goose bumps, but simply correlated as could be said. Namely, your nerves get the tingly sensation, which would trigger goose bumps, but as your muscles contract attempting to erect the hair follicle, they pull against nothing, and thus no goosebumps. I think that's the most likely explanation. --Puellanivis (talk) 21:32, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Gooseflesh

I'm British, and I've never, ever heard anyone refer these as 'gooseflesh'. There is no citation, and nor can I personally find any reference to verify the term as being British English. I think it's more likely an archaic term that isn't used by anyone anymore. Until someone can provide a reference/citation, I have removed it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.153.209.4 (talk) 12:18, 12 August 2007‎ (UTC)

it may just be a southern united states thing, we say gooseflesh. added it back in — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.0.114.67 (talk) 18:55, 16 August 2007‎ (UTC)

Latin roots

the latin horrere means 'to tremble' not the stand on end and the root does not refer to livestock, fixed this. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.0.114.67 (talk) 18:53, 16 August 2007‎ (UTC)

Chills down the spine

This was referred to in the disambiguation page leading here, but often goosebumps occur without a spine chill and vice versa. I think a new section or article needs to be put in regarding this phenomenon. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Samcobra (talk • contribs) 18:54, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Etymology more important... why?

How come Etymology is listed first, and thus presented as more important, and Anatomy/Biology second? I don't think people come here to read an extensive etymology research on "goose bumps" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.157.251.105 (talk) 20:09, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

Usually etymology is discussed first when the word has a non-trivial etymology. The word is discussed first, then the topic. It isn't a measure of importance that it goes first. M00npirate (talk) 13:28, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

Section name change

Chzz changed the name of what was formerly Anatomy/Biology to "Anatomy and biology". This was done because he says "you're not supposed to have strange characters[the V] in the section names" for linking reasons. I agree, in part because I was the one who pointed it out to him... I was trying to link to that section and I couldn't. Anyway, just leave it that way, mm'kay? And in the future leave slashes and other characters out of section names.

By the way, he doesn't even remember doing it. Apparently he helps too many people. Hello, hello. (talk) 01:58, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

All these names?

I don't know really how to add refrences here, but I'm surprised there are so many words for goose bumps mentioned, but no mention of another common medical term for goose bumps: piloerection. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19408 Oh crap, I see it now! My bad. ;-) Eyknough (talk) 02:05, 18 November 2009 (UTC)

While we're talking about names, "bananaphallusification" is listed on here as another name. Google search for this term turned up an answers.com definition of goosebumps and an urbandictionary.com definition calling it "the use of a banana for non-nutritional pleasure." Perhaps a previous editor wanted a laugh? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.11.107.49 (talk) 22:59, 12 February 2010 (UTC)

No known benefit?

I believe the statement that there is no known benefit in humans is false. With regard to cold the contraction of the muscles would generate heat (admittedly a very small amount). Also, although the hairs are small they still interrupt and reduce the flow of air over the skin reducing the rate of loss of body heat. Therefore the benefit relating to cold may border on negligible, but it still exists.

The other causes like excitement, arousal and fear are probably partially due to the benefit of greater sensitivity of the skin to the sorrounding environment. This is still true despite the shortness of human hair, and therefore the benefit still exists. 196.44.7.221 (talk) 10:18, 1 December 2009 (UTC)

Areolas

The areolas of both male and female humans react to cold and arousal. It is only the hormonal reaction in the maternity cycle that is exclusively female. It is my opinion that this statement in the article is imprecise. 196.44.7.221 (talk) 10:18, 1 December 2009 (UTC)

Goosebumps at will

I removed this as the reference is a forum post. If you can replace the reference with a reliable source, please readd it.

It has been also reported that a few people have the ability to induce or control goosebumps at will. The exact mechanism of action is still unknown. People who have this ability report they can generate "shock like" waves from their Medulla Oblongata, which radiates to other parts of the body, producing goosebumps. The Naked Scientists TransUtopian (talk) 13:56, 15 January 2010 (UTC)

Significance of voluntary goose bumps

The author of the sections below, from "Physiological and emotional components" to "Emotional amplification" explains how he is able to will himself to have goose bumps on demand. He demonstrates voluntary goose bumps in this youtube video

Watch arm hair rise at top of video frame 2 seconds after verbal instruction. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.155.30.176 (talk) 23:10, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

Physiological and emotional components:

There are at least three components to this voluntary goose bump phenomena: The physical sensations that precede and follow activation, the visible goose bumps and the emotional effects. There is also a synergistic effect between how it feels physically and the emotional aspect. Activation is not binary, but is similar to the voluntary act of closing your hand – you can close it softly and keep up the tension, or you can close it hard and relax soon after. Just as with clenching your hand, there is also a fatigue aspect in that it is difficult to maintain voluntary activation for more than perhaps 15 seconds at a time - the effect wears off unless this leads to and taps into an emotional activation. Emotional activation feeds or multiplies the ability to voluntarily activate and one can keep going between the two as if paddling from one surfable wave to the next.

The odd thing is that instead of voluntarily contracting the muscles in my hand, I do something similar that feels like I am contracting the back of my neck, right at the base of my skull. This sets up the possibility of activation when a second sensation presents itself at my temples. I am also aware of flaring my nostrils and projecting my nose forward, mentally, if not physically.

At that point I experience something similar to the “ah-ha” or “light bulb” moment when an idea has just occurred to me. I have read speculation by people who can do this that they are activating the medulla oblongata. This makes some anatomical sense due to proximity of the “contraction” and the function of the lower brain stem. As an engineer, I would be surprised if we could actually exert muscular pressure directly on such an important part of our central nervous system. Perhaps it is just a nearby nerve branch that is involved initially.

Often there is a tingle that starts in my head/neck that feels like the buzz one gets from an electric current, but it is not unpleasant – nothing like applying pressure to the elbow’s “funny bone”. This “buzz” is followed by a pleasant sensation that radiates to my skin and then washes down from my head to my neck, shoulders, arms and torso, all the way to my thighs and calves, almost immediately. If activation is sustained at high intensity, goose bumps eventually show everywhere there is a tingle in my skin – almost everywhere.

Goose bumps seem the most obvious in my forearms and thighs, probably because they are strongest there, rather than because the other areas are not yet turned on. If voluntary activation triggers an emotional activation, there is a strong surge that is first felt across the upper back at shoulder level. Emotional triggers produce more obvious goose bumps more quickly than trying to activate purely as an act of will.

If such an activation occurs in relation to something scary, then it is perceived as the familiar “chills down the spine” with goose bumps. The basal emotion that goes with this may be fear initially, but there seems to be two kinds of fear response; positive and negative:

Positive and negative responses to fear:

Perception of situation

Positive: I need to think clearly and act swiftly or I risk grave injury or entrapment.

Negative: I have been injured or trapped and need to calm down or I am going to die.

Positive fear minimizes the perception of any real injury while negative fear maximizes that perception.

Mind

Positive: Logical thinking is improved; trained responses and appropriate reflexes are sharpened.

Negative: Mind and body freeze. Panic sets in. No logic. Don't know what to do. Reflexes may not be appropriate.

Sight, hearing & touch

Positive: More acute. Very focused on what is happening outside body; pertinent to threat. Ignore internal discomfort.

Negative: Confused by sights and sounds. Close eyes and ignore sound. Focus on sensations inside body. Contemplate injury signaled by the slightest discomfort.

Pulse rate & blood pressure

Positive: Heart pumps harder and faster to support expected vigorous physical or mental activity required to avoid or conquer threat.

Negative: Heart rate and blood pressure drop suddenly and significantly - Vaso-vagal suppression of heart rate causes one to feel faint and want to lie down. Reduces rate of blood loss in case of significant injury. Impedes ability to run or fight before injury occurs.

Sense of control

Positive: I am still in control and can overcome the threat if I act swiftly and appropriately. Very aware of the need to act, but confident in my ability.

Negative: Loss of control. Too late for fight or flight. Trapped in situation. Total loss of self-confidence.

Descriptive words

Positive: Realistic measure of imminent threat. Sense that threat can be defeated. Scared, but empowered.

Negative: Overwhelmed by threat. Sense of impending doom. Defeated.

Sky divers and those that love dangerous sports tap into the empowerment of the positive fear response to avoid injury. Playing shoot-em-up video games provides the same thrill and adrenaline rush without real danger.

Overall Value

Positive: Aids survival before major injury occurs.

Negative: Aids survival after major injury occurs.

Goose bumps present?

Positive: Definitely

Negative: Yes, but I try to avoid this response because I don't like it.

Emotional amplification

When asked about the value of goose bump activation while watching a horror film: I definitely prefer to invoke the “positive” type of fear in such a situation because I think it aids survival. If the hero of the film suffers a fate worse than death I do experience negative fear, but only briefly and I certainly do not try to provoke or extend this – I feel fear when the hero falls out of a boat into shark infested water, but horror kicks in if this mishap results in dismemberment or drowning. Anyway, most horror movies are funny because we know they are not real.

In the case of a romantic movie, should I realize the hero and heroine are finally about to kiss, I would “activate” goose bumps to increase the tension and the strength of the emotional release. As such, the physiological response to a good association is essentially the same as for something bad: The physical sensations of the build up and release are the same. However, something positive like a kiss is accompanied by feelings of elation; with impending pleasure rather than the impending trouble or doom of a threatening situation.

Listening to music was one of the first contexts in which the goose bump reflex activated naturally for me – this was as a teenager 30+ years ago. The other was watching ski jumping on TV – it was awe inspiring to watch people literally fly and I felt both exited and scared by the prospect of doing so myself. It was on noticing the goose bump response to fear and awe inspiring sights and sounds that I found that there was a predictive quality to the equation. Seeing someone charge down a ski slope meant they would soon be airborne and I found that I could “feel” the emotion and the physical sensation ahead of the situations that typically provoked it.

Perhaps it became somewhat of a pavlovian response in that knowing something thrilling was about to happen, it became easy to trigger the physical response and enhance the positive emotion. I don’t remember exactly how I learned to do this, but I do know that I tried it again immediately and have practiced it many times since. Long ago, I could only activate when there was at least some kind of visual or aural trigger, but now I can do it on command in front of an audience.

Music tends to be emotionally evocative generally, but I am probably moved the most by music that I already know and like. Anticipating resonance and harmony seem to fuel my goose bumps. When listening to music I have never heard before, I am both following the tune and predicting it at the same time. There is a tension built up in what may be coming next with a release and satisfaction when that part of music sounds as good as expected. This can be repeated over and over, throughout the piece. However, I usually reach a point of feeling both satisfaction and fatigue after a few minutes. That is why classical music is so good – it typically has rest periods between climaxes and allows one to recover.

When asked how often I enhance music with this unusual ability. The short answer is almost any time I hear “good” music. Not all music tends to have this effect, and I may not deliberately activate every time, but it comes so easily it is difficult to resist: Who says no to an instant full body orgasm you can have in public without any side effects?

While the word orgasm is appropriate, the ability to “activate” is not specifically sexual. It is simply a physiological amplifier that somehow spikes the level of arousal appropriate to any emotional situation. It has the added benefit of manifesting with strong, pleasant skin sensations. This ability would certainly also seem appropriate in romantic encounters. I have had a girlfriend remark on my goose bumps at least once, and I was not preoccupied with the subject at the time.

Perhaps this is an addiction to what probably amounts to an adrenaline rush – I just recently checked my pulse when activating without any emotional context and my heart rate climbs by at least 10%. When I stop, my pulse snaps back to base-line as soon my skin smoothes out. This ability may not be entirely selfish. Perhaps it has value in feeling empathy: I feel the emotions of others more strongly, as if they were my own.

I don’t know anyone else that can do it, but the first “hit” for a google search on voluntary goosebumps is for a forum discussing the subject. This suggests that quite a few people have the ability. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.155.30.176 (talk) 06:04, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

Contradiction in page

The first paragraph states that these bumps do not occur on the face, however later in the article it is mentioned that these bumps do occur on the face in some individuals. Which one is it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.14.40.233 (talk) 16:21, 24 September 2010 (UTC)