Taking control of our emotions

For people to try and self-regulate, they must believe that they can control what they want to change. The project 'The role of beliefs about control in emotion regulation' (BELIEFS AND EMOTIONS) tested whether those who believe that emotions are controllable can better regulate their emotions, and thus experience more positive and less negative emotions.

A series of studies was set up to manipulate beliefs regarding whether or not emotions can be controlled. Researchers then tested causal effects on subsequent emotion regulation. Findings indicate that beliefs about the controllability of emotions contribute to more effective emotion regulation.

In a second series of studies, BELIEFS AND EMOTIONS tested whether the ability to use effective regulation strategies leads to more effective emotion regulation, but only in individuals who believe emotions can be controlled. Cognitive reappraisal is an example of an effective regulation strategy.

Study participants were more likely to decrease their negative emotions the more they employed cognitive reappraisal and the more they believed emotions can be controlled. The results from these studies show that people can effectively regulate their emotions if they have the tools to do so (e.g. using cognitive reappraisal) and if they believe emotions can be controlled.

The project then tested beliefs regarding the controllability of emotions in clinically depressed individuals. Rather than instructing the participants to decrease negative emotions, this study let them determine whether they try to decrease or maintain their level of sadness. Depressed individuals were more likely to try and decrease their sadness the more they believed that emotions can be controlled.

Overall, BELIEFS AND EMOTIONS highlighted the role of beliefs regarding controllability of emotions in shaping emotion regulation. The findings have the potential to inform the development of interventions that can facilitate effective regulation of negative emotions. Advances in this area are slated to benefit both healthy and clinical populations.