Re: Why do people get goosebumps?

Good question.

Goosebumps serve no known purpose in humans.  Animals, however,
have a use for them.  It is simply an evolutionary trait passed down from
when our ancestors were still hairy.  
Goosebumps occur on every little hair on your arms, legs, and the rest of 
your body.(except your head.)  In animals and humans, this lifts the hair 
up.  Did you notice that goosebumps occur mostly when you are cold or 
scared?  In animals, when they get cold, goosebumps lift up the hairs on 
their bodies.  This traps a layer of air under the hair, which insulates
the animal, keeping it warm.
When animals get scared, they get goosebumps.  Again, this lifts their 
hair, which causes them to look bigger.  A predator is less likely to 
attack a larger animal.  Therefore, it helps keep animals from getting 
eaten by other animals.

Because humans have lost most of the hair covering their bodies, goosebumps 
serve no purpose.  It is simply a reflex that did not dissapear during the 
course of evolution.

Keep those questions coming!
                     Matthew Barchok, Mad Scientist