Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
10.6K
Spontaneous emotion regulation and attentional control
Alfonso Morillas-Romero1, Miquel Tortella-Feliu1, Maria Balle1
1University Research Institute on Health Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|August 25, 2014
Summary
Higher self-reported attentional control (AC) aids spontaneous emotion downregulation after viewing negative images. Both higher AC and reduced executive control network function predicted faster emotion downregulation for neutral images.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Attentional control (AC) is crucial for cognitive functions.
- Understanding AC's role in emotion regulation is vital.
- Previous research suggests links between attention and emotional processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if self-reported attentional control (AC) and attentional network functioning predict spontaneous emotion downregulation.
- To examine these relationships after exposure to both aversive and neutral stimuli.
Main Methods:
- 117 healthy volunteers rated discomfort during and after viewing affective pictures.
- Self-reported attentional control and attentional network functioning were assessed.
- Statistical analyses controlled for trait anxiety.
Main Results:
- Higher self-reported AC predicted greater spontaneous emotional downregulation for aversive pictures, even after controlling for trait anxiety.
- Higher self-reported AC and lower executive control network functioning (greater interference) predicted faster spontaneous emotional downregulation for neutral pictures.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported attentional control plays a significant role in spontaneous emotion downregulation.
- Attentional network functioning, particularly executive control, is also implicated in emotion regulation.
- Findings highlight the interplay between attention and emotion regulation difficulties.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Self-Regulation
358
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...
358
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
321
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
321
01:20Physiology of Emotion
4.4K
The physiology of emotions is a multifaceted process involving the autonomic nervous system, brain structures, hormones, and neurotransmitters. This intricate interplay dictates how emotions manifest in the body and influence behavior.
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
4.4K
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
1.4K
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
Primary Temperament Types
1.4K
01:20Cognitive Theories: Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion
2.6K
Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer proposed the two-factor theory of emotion, which emphasizes the interplay between physiological arousal and cognitive labeling in forming emotional experiences. This theory suggests that emotions are not simply a result of physiological responses but rather a combination of these responses and the individual's cognitive interpretation of them.
Physiological Arousal and Cognitive Labeling
According to this theory, when an individual experiences...
Physiological Arousal and Cognitive Labeling
According to this theory, when an individual experiences...
2.6K
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
436
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
436