Evidence for the Role of Working Memory Capacity in the Success and Selection of Emotion Regulation Strategies.
Opitz, Philipp.
2017-04-24T15:10:55.774Z
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Abstract: I examined predictions of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation with Emotion Regulation (SOC-ER) framework. SOC-ER suggests that ER strategies depend on resources, where higher resource levels lead to better success at using relevant ER strategies. People may compensate for resource depletion by selecting alternative ER strategies. In Study 1, I hypothesized that increases or dec... read morereases in resources would increase or decrease success at using one ER strategy, cognitive reappraisal (CR). Participants completed two iterations of tasks assessing resource levels, separated by an operation span task designed to manipulate resources (or a comparable sham task). Results suggested that increases in working memory capacity (WMC) predicted increases in CR success, depending on participants' initial reactivity to the stimuli. This was apparent only in the sham group. Although these results suggested that treatment participants may have engaged in compensatory selection of alternative strategies following the treatment task, analyses of ER strategy endorsements did not support this. In Study 2, I followed up on Study 1 by decreasing the temporal distance between the CR task and the WM manipulation, so as to capture the effect of WM load and individual differences in WMC on CR success and possible compensation. In a combined digit span-CR task, participants were instructed to hold information in mind while using CR. I also assessed participants' reported ER strategy use following this task. Results suggested that for participants exhibiting relatively low WMC, regulation success was better under low, compared to high, working memory load, but only at moderate and high levels of reactivity. Results also revealed that participants used an alternative ER strategy, attentional deployment, under high working memory load compared to low working memory load. This suggests that participants compensated for reduced WM levels. Overall, this dissertation suggests that WM is a resource for CR, depending on participants' initial reactivity. Furthermore, this dissertation indicates that participants compensate for resource losses by selecting alternative ER strategies. These findings have implications for our theoretical understanding of emotion regulation success, the empirical study of emotion regulation, and the design and implementation of interventions for psychopathology.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2013.
Submitted to the Dept. of Psychology.
Advisor: Heather Urry.
Committee: James Gross, Derek Isaacowitz, Holly Taylor, and Ayanna Thomas.
Keyword: Experimental psychology.read less - ID:
- 8s45qn111
- Component ID:
- tufts:21971
- To Cite:
- DCA Citation Guide EndNote
