Emotion Regulation, Developmental Influences

Emotion Experience

Emotion experience begins when the body feels some type of positive or negative arousal. For a few basic emotions (e.g., fear, anger, sadness, joy, disgust), the body recognizes the emotional state quickly and activates programmed response tendencies, such as certain facial expressions (e.g., frowns or smiles) and certain physical reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate or muscle tension). However, scientists have learned that in many circumstances the link between a state of arousal and recognition of emotional experience is influenced by more conscious levels of thought. For example, most people feel fear immediately if a large dog suddenly jumps toward them with a growl. However, when called to speak in front of a group that same type of arousal might be experienced as anxiety, stage fright, or embarrassment. In addition, because some emotions are complex blends of more basic emotions, they require conscious processing and even reprocessing. Emotions such as romantic love, pride, resentment, disappointment, guilt, jealousy, envy, embarrassment, and shame are understood by reference to the circumstances that elicited the arousal. For example, guilt and shame are experienced after social rules or norms are violated, and embarrassment is experienced after losing face in public by tripping or spilling a soft drink. Sometimes emotions are experienced after a more intense emotion has passed. For example, a person may feel strong anger and respond inappropriately, then later feel lingering guilt for having said something hurtful to another person.

Emotion Regulation

Importantly, experiencing an emotion is only one half of the emotion equation. The other half is [Page 505]how that experience, its intensity, and its expression are controlled. Scholars call this process emotion regulation. More specifically, emotion regulation involves modifications of one's emotions or emotional expressions to accomplish individual goals and adapt to the social environment. At the same time, a person is interpreting the nature of the emotional arousal, he or she is also evaluating or enacting coping strategies.

Emotion regulation decisions are based on appraisals of the social situation and individual and relational goals. People sometimes let themselves feel strong sadness and express it fully in the presence of a close friend to receive emotional support. However, in public, people often subdue the intensity of their sadness and its expression to appear strong and in control. Likewise, in a romantic relationship, partners may express jealousy to let a partner understand that the relationship is valued and that a threat has been perceived. By contrast, if a friend wins an award that one feels more qualified to win, feelings of envy are often subdued and instead congratulations are offered.

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