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SciTech Now

The science behind goosebumps

Whether you call them cutis anserine, horripilation or just plain “chicken skin,” goosebumps are a mysterious part of our bodies’ fight or flight response. So why do our hairs stand up when we feel fear, cold or intense emotion? As we find out in this segment from NPR science reporter, Adam Cole, there’s more to those bristling bumps than you might think.