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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:30
Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
Published on: February 15, 2015
Expressive flexibility.
Maren Westphal1, Nicholas H Seivert, George A Bonanno
1Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA. mw2132@columbia.edu
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|February 10, 2010
Summary
Flexible emotion regulation, or expressive flexibility (EF), is crucial for psychological adjustment. This study confirms EF
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Emotion Regulation
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Previous research focused on expressing vs. suppressing emotion using separate groups.
- Emotion theorists propose flexible regulation, adapting to demands, is key for adaptation.
- Expressive flexibility (EF) was previously linked to self-reported adjustment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the stability of expressive flexibility (EF) over three years.
- To replicate the link between EF and adjustment using objective, friend-reported measures.
- To examine if EF's positive association with adjustment is stronger under high stress and threat.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a within-subjects experimental paradigm to measure expressive flexibility (EF).
- Assessed EF stability across a 3-year period.
- Collected adjustment data from participants' close friends and employed a subliminal threat prime.
Main Results:
- Expressive flexibility (EF) demonstrated stability over a 3-year timeframe.
- EF consistently predicted positive adjustment, validated by objective friend reports.
- The EF-adjustment link was amplified under high cumulative life stress and immediate threat.
Conclusions:
- Expressive flexibility (EF) is a stable trait predicting long-term psychological adjustment.
- Objective measures confirm EF's role in positive adaptation.
- EF is particularly vital for navigating high stress and threat, highlighting its adaptive significance.
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