Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
Published on: December 2, 2015
Observed emotion frequency versus intensity as predictors of socioemotional maladjustment
Maciel M Hernández1, Nancy Eisenberg1, Carlos Valiente2
1Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess whether observed emotional frequency (the proportion of instances an emotion was observed) and intensity (the strength of an emotion when it was observed) uniquely predicted kindergartners' (N = 301) internalizing and externalizing problems. Analyses were tested in a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework with data from multireporters (reports of problem behaviors from teachers and parents) and naturalistic observations of emotion in the fall semester. For observed positive emotion, both frequency and intensity negatively predicted parent- or teacher-reported internalizing symptoms. Anger frequency positively predicted parent- and teacher-reported externalizing symptoms, whereas anger intensity positively predicted parent- and teacher-reported externalizing and parent-reported internalizing symptoms. The findings support the importance of examining both aspects of emotion when predicting maladjustment.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Role of Emotions in Social Life
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals

