Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Emotion-Related Self-Regulation in Children
Nancy Eisenberg1, Michael J Sulik
1Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Teaching of Psychology (Columbia, Mo.)
|October 27, 2012
Summary
This review clarifies children's emotion regulation, distinguishing voluntary self-regulation from automatic control processes. It explores developmental changes, assessment methods, and links to adjustment, offering teaching strategies for emotion regulation skills.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Emotion regulation is crucial for child development and social adjustment.
- Existing research presents conceptual challenges in defining and measuring self-regulation.
- Understanding developmental trajectories of self-regulatory capacities is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review fundamental conceptual issues in children's emotion-related self-regulation research.
- To summarize developmental changes and assessment methods for self-regulatory abilities.
- To explore the relationship between self-regulation and child adjustment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of conceptual issues and empirical findings.
- Synthesis of research on developmental changes in self-regulation.
- Examination of various methods for assessing emotion-related self-regulation.
Main Results:
- Distinguishes between effortful, voluntary self-regulation and less controllable processes.
- Summarizes current knowledge on developmental shifts in self-regulatory capacities.
- Highlights associations between self-regulation, effortful control, and adjustment/maladjustment.
Conclusions:
- Effective emotion regulation is vital for positive child adjustment.
- Understanding conceptual nuances and developmental changes informs research and practice.
- Strategies for teaching emotion regulation can enhance children's well-being.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Self-Regulation
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...