Chills As an Indicator of Individual Emotional Peaks

200971 citationsReview

Authors

Oliver Grewe · Hanover University of Music Drama and Media

Reinhard Kopiez · Hanover University of Music Drama and Media

Eckart Altenmüller · Institute of Musicology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences

Abstract

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.

Topics & Keywords

Neuroscience and Music Perception Neural dynamics and brain function Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Publication Details

Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Volume 1169, Issue 1, pp. 351-354

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04783.x

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 1.36

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Chills As an Indicator of Individual Emotional Peaks

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Abstract

Topics & Keywords

Publication Details