Objective and continuous measurement of piloerection

Abstract

Increasing attention is drawn to the investigation of piloerection (or goose bumps) in response to strong emotional experiences. This research is complicated by the need to rely on self-report measures. This article proposes an efficient method for the objective and continuous measurement of piloerection. It is based on an optical recording device combined with a discrete Fourier transform analysis quantifying the frequency power related to visible piloerection. The validity of the method was demonstrated in a proof-of-principle experiment involving a person with the exceptional ability to control the erection of his hair. The method reliably mapped all occurrences of visible piloerection and provided insight into the temporal dynamics of the underlying physiological process. It thus proved suitable for future experimental investigation of human piloerection.