Having chills is linked to a personality trait

Chills are a type of sensation in which it is felt as if an electric current was born in the nape or upper part of the back and it would go through the entire spine and skull to end up merging with the rest of the body.

Although from its description it seems a process that contains in itself some violence, the truth is that the chills we usually lead to a state of well-being and calm that in many cases is accompanied by the appearance of the skin of chicken.

The chills and the personality

What causes the chills? Many things, but, specifically, situations that have to do with the aesthetic appreciation of an image, sound or idea.

However, some research indicates that the chills are more than the result of being in the right time and place. Their appearance and frequency could be related to the personality type of the person who experiences them. In fact, a study recently published in Psychology of Music has found a link between the chills that one has while listening to music and a dimension of the personality related to the Openness to Experience personality trait.

Investigation

In this research, the cases of a hundred students who were given to listen to the same recording, which contained five potentially creepy musical pieces of roughly intensity. The appearance or not of chills was measured by placing electricity sensors on the skin of the participants and asking them to press a button when they noticed a chill.

In addition, the components of the group of participants also filled out personality questionnaires that included items that measured the 5 great personality traits: Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Neuroticism, Responsibility and Kindness.

Crossing the data obtained through the personality tests and the stage in which the chills were measured, the researchers they went on to see what interactions were produced between the personality of the volunteers and these pleasant sensations produced by listening music.

The results

As expected (judging by the results obtained in similar studies carried out previously) the The frequency of chills was correlated with the Openness to Experience score.

But the most curious thing about the results was that within the indicators used to give an score and Openness to Experience, there was one facet of him that reflected especially well the correlation. It is a factor called Fantasy, What is it the tendency to pay attention to self-imagined subjective experiences.

How are these findings explained?

Although the appearance of chills seems somewhat bland, this study (added to several others like that) shows that the degree in the one that appears gives some clues about the type of personality you have, at least those that are generated while listening music.

Does this make sense? Actually, yes. Among other things, chills are a symptom of the way music is experienced, and provide information about how you react to certain stimuli.

In turn, these reactions can be modulated by the most predominant personality traits in the person. In fact, not all people are capable of chills, and some are more prone to chills. especially intense: these are not automatic and stereotyped responses that are activated in us in a foreseeable. Personal characteristics play a role.

Specifically, the Openness to Experience trait and the Fantasy facet measure the way in which stimulating situations are experienced, immersive and that direct all the attention towards stimuli related to a strong emotional activation or a sensation of satisfaction.

So you already know. Chills aren't just pleasant - they say things about you, too.