On the Etiology of Aesthetic Chills: a Behavioral Genetic Study

Abstract

Aesthetic chills, broadly defined as a somatic marker of peak emotional-hedonic responses, are experienced by individuals across a variety of human cultures. Yet individuals vary widely in the propensity of feeling them. These individual differences have been studied in relation to demographics, personality, and neurobiological and physiological factors, but no study to date has explored the genetic etiological sources of variation. To partition genetic and environmental sources of variation in the propensity of feeling aesthetic chills, we fitted a biometrical genetic model to data from 14127 twins (from 8995 pairs), collected by the Netherlands Twin Register. Both genetic and unique environmental factors accounted for variance in aesthetic chills, with heritability estimated at .36 ([.33, .39] 95% CI). We found females more prone than males to report feeling aesthetic chills. However, a test for genotype x sex interaction did not show evidence that heritability differs between sexes. We thus show that the propensity of feeling aesthetic chills is not shaped by nurture alone, but it also reflects underlying genetic propensities.

Does Amount of Information Support Aesthetic Values?

“…Instead, we argue that aesthetic values are built-in in specialized brain mechanisms, which are under the influence of evolution, development, and social and environmental learning. To begin with, evidence is now available that genetic predispositions contribute to the sensation of aesthetic chills ( Bignardi et al, 2021 ). Another strong line of evidence comes from development.…”

Frisson Waves

“…Frisson can be caused by cold, fear or a strong emotional stimulus. Frisson or aesthetic chills is personal, with highly individual differences rather than a shareable experience among people [7]. However, while some people have a strong frisson response [35], not all people perceive these moments of frisson naturally.…”