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Updated: Jun 24, 2025
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Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
Published on: August 26, 2011
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Reining in regret: emotion regulation modulates regret in decision making
Crystal Reeck1, Kevin S LaBar2
1Fox School of Business, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Cognition & Emotion
|June 4, 2024
Summary
Emotion regulation strategies can alter regret experiences. Viewing decisions as a portfolio reduces negative feelings and arousal, but does not change regret
Area of Science:
- Decision Sciences
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroeconomics
Background:
- The impact of regret on decision-making is significant.
- The role of emotion regulation in modulating regret's affective experience and decision influence is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether emotion regulation strategies can modulate the affective experience of regret.
- To determine if emotion regulation influences the impact of regret on decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Participants made decisions involving uncertainty under two emotion regulation conditions: individual choice focus versus portfolio approach.
- Physiological arousal levels were monitored.
Main Results:
- Adopting a portfolio approach to decisions resulted in less extreme affective reactions and reduced physiological arousal compared to an individual choice focus.
- Emotion regulation strategies did not significantly alter the influence of anticipatory regret on choices.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive strategies, such as adopting a portfolio approach, can effectively mitigate the affective experience of regret.
- Findings suggest potential applications for enhancing consumer welfare by managing regret.
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