Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
11.3K
Cross-cultural differences in emotion suppression in everyday interactions.
Sylvia Huwaë1, Juliette Schaafsma1
1Tilburg Center for Cognition and Communication (TiCC), Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Summary
People from collectivistic cultures, like Chinese participants, suppress emotions more than those from individualistic cultures. This emotion regulation varies based on relationship closeness and cultural upbringing.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cross-cultural psychology
- Social psychology
Background:
- Collectivistic cultures often involve greater emotion suppression than individualistic cultures.
- Limited research exists on cross-cultural emotion regulation in daily social interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cross-cultural differences in emotion suppression during everyday interactions.
- To examine the influence of relationship partners on emotion regulation across cultures.
- To explore the role of self-construal in emotion suppression.
Main Methods:
- A daily social interaction method was employed.
- Participants included Chinese exchange students, Moluccan immigrants (collectivistic backgrounds), and Dutch natives (individualistic background) living in the Netherlands.
- Emotion suppression was assessed in relation to interaction partners.
Main Results:
- Chinese participants exhibited higher suppression of both positive and negative emotions compared to Dutch and Moluccan participants.
- Differences in interdependent and independent self-construal correlated with emotion suppression levels.
- Chinese participants suppressed positive emotions less with close others; Dutch participants suppressed negative emotions more with non-close others.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the notion that collectivistic cultures generally involve more emotion suppression than individualistic cultures.
- The degree of emotion suppression is contingent upon the relationship with the interaction partner.
- Cultural background and acculturation experiences may influence emotion suppression patterns.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Emotional Expression
1.2K
Emotional expression encompasses how individuals convey their emotions through verbal communication and non-verbal cues. These non-verbal actions include facial expressions, body language, and physical gestures, such as frowning or smiling. Among these, facial expressions play a crucial role in emotional expression and are understood universally, indicating a biological basis for how humans communicate emotions.
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...
1.2K
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
706
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed...
706
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
272
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...
272
01:30Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
418
The actions and characteristics of others heavily influence the causes of social behaviors. Emotional expressions serve as powerful social signals, shaping behaviors and interactions in significant ways. Whether through direct observation or subconscious processing, individuals constantly adjust their responses based on the emotions and attributes of those around them.Emotional Cues and Social ResponsesFacial expressions, tone of voice, and body language provide crucial emotional cues that...
418
01:20Labeling Emotion
904
Emotional labeling is a cognitive process that involves identifying and naming one's emotions, such as anger, fear, happiness, or sadness. It allows individuals to recognize and express their internal emotional states, a critical aspect of emotional regulation and communication. Labeling emotions requires more than mere recognition; it also involves drawing upon memory and contextual cues to understand the current situation and apply a corresponding emotional label. For instance, feeling...
904
01:24Facial Feedback Hypothesis
832
Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role...
832