Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to regulate your emotional reactions? Birk and Bonanno (2016) studied the adaptiveness of modifying emotional regulation (ER) strategies based on affective and physiological feedback. They wanted to understand how people use emotional regulation to adjust from thinking about emotional situation to more neutral information (distraction). To develop a more coherent comprehensive understanding, researchers studied whether people use internal feedback (negative intensity, corrugator’s activity, heart rate) to guide emotional regulation. Birk and Bonanno performed two studies: Study 1 examined switching from reappraisal to distraction and Study 2 examined switching from distraction to reappraisal.
The studies explored whether internal feedback influenced people to shift to an optimal strategy (distraction), instead of a nonoptimal (reappraisal) strategy, when regulating strong emotional reactions. In addition, both researchers tested whether the frequency of switching and response to internal feedback (RIF) predicted well-being. The researchers found that negative intensity, corrugator’s activity, and the magnitude of heart rate deceleration were higher on switching rather than maintained strategies. In Study 1, researchers found that a greater switching frequency showed higher rates of higher and lower life satisfaction.
Birk and Bonanno were able to record and analyze data using a BIOPAC Research System with wireless BioNomadix and AcqKnowledge software. Facial electromyography, electrocardiography, and electrodermal activity were the physiological signals measured. Wireless BioNomadix data recording allows researchers to assess ambulatory subjects in an environment most appropriate for their study. BioNomadix amplifiers are capable of interfacing with MP Systems and AcqKnowledge software for a complete, wireless solution that supports advanced analysis for multiple applications.
In conclusion, Birk and Bonanno collectively found that internal feedback about the experience of intense negative emotion guides the decision to switch form reappraisal to distraction in Study 1, but not the reverse order of strategies in Study 2.
