There’s no one in this world that has the ability to control their goosebumps – until now. James Heathers is a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University. He apparently can summon goosebumps at his will. He is a science buff, reading old scientific articles as a hobby. That was when he first discovered a unique phenomenon in a 1938 case study. Instead of digging for more, Heathers studied this phenomenon himself.
Piloerection is the scientific name for the ability to control goosebumps. And Heathers has studied 32 people, who showcase voluntary control of it. Associate Professor Matthew Goodwin and other members helped him in this little experiment. Around 80% of the participants in the study told that the process of the experience was exactly the same. There’s a muscular tension on the back of your head, neck, and behind the ear. The goosebumps then shiver down the spine, the back and the arms, without any efforts.
“People who can do this find it really easy and straightforward, no harder than moving your arm or putting on a hat.” Heather then adds how surprised they are when they see how other people cannot do it.
It was also found that people who can induce goosebumps are likely to have an open personality. It might be a basic result, but it is a firm one. Openness to experience was there in almost all the participants. Heathers believe this might be a way to study emotion development. There is also a physiological side to emotions. It makes us wonder if emotions are affected by the people who can control such physical effects. Answering that question is sure to help us understand the nature of emotions. The questions’ answers would ultimately help the scientists understand about diverse personality characteristics.
Furthermore, the physiological perspective would tell that controlling goosebumps voluntarily should be impossible. There is no conscious connection to our brain. Since there are not any nerves there, no motor impulse exists to control the brain. “Without the involvement of a higher-level brain process ordering them to do something, it should be impossible,” Heathers said.
Heathers believe that we seem to have incomplete information about this phenomenon. It would have explained this particular mechanistic process. According to him, it’s fun to study something that nobody even thought of studying before.
Pranjali Wakde
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