In the present article, diverse definitions, theoretical background, and contemporary research findings from the emotion regulation (ER) field are brought together alongside its open dilemmas. A clearer categorization of emotion and ER perspectives is offered: neurobiological perspective in which ER is a set of neurobiological processes that influence the emotion experience and expression; socio-constructivist perspective in which ER is influenced by socio-cultural expectations; and cognitive perspective that places ER at any situation-attention-appraisal-response sequence. Further, two contemporary models of ER are described and evaluated, followed by a presentation of the research findings regarding certain ER strategies, especially reappraisal and suppression. ER strategies are presented regarding their associations with other psycho-social characteristics. Also, efficiency of ER strategies is discussed further, proposing four criteria that should be considered simultaneously: functionality (goal orientation), adaptability (including social acceptance), automatization, and flexibility. In conclusion, some directions for the future ER research are outlined.
Author Biography
Simona Prosen, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana
