Chills as an indicator of individual emotional peaks.
Chills (goose bumps) have been repeatedly associated with positive emotional peaks. Chills seem to be related to distinct musical structures and the reward system in the brain. A new approach that uses chills as indicators of individual emotional peaks is discussed. Chill reactions of 95 participants in response to seven music pieces were recorded. Subjective intensity as well as physiological arousal (skin conductance response, heart rate) revealed peaks during chill episodes. This review suggests that chills are a reliable indicator of individual emotional peaks, combining reports of subjective feelings with physiological arousal.
Grewe
Oliver
O
Institute of Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Hanover University of Music and Drama, Hohenzollernstrasse 47, 30161 Hannover, Germany. Oliver_Grewe@gmx.de
Kopiez
Reinhard
R
Altenmüller
Eckart
E
D023341:Chills; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009146:Music / Q000523:psychology*