@article{ref1,
title="Neural processing of emotional-intensity predicts emotion regulation choice",
journal="Social cognitive and affective neuroscience",
year="2016",
author="Shafir, Roni and Thiruchselvam, Ravi and Suri, Gaurav and Gross, James J. and Sheppes, Gal",
volume="11",
number="12",
pages="1863-1871",
abstract="Emotional-intensity is a core characteristic of affective events that strongly determines how individuals choose to regulate their emotions. Our conceptual framework suggests that in high emotional-intensity situations, individuals prefer to disengage attention using distraction, which can more effectively block highly potent emotional information, as compared to engagement reappraisal, which is preferred in low emotional-intensity. However, existing supporting evidence remains indirect because prior intensity categorization of emotional stimuli was based on subjective measures that are potentially biased and only represent the endpoint of emotional-intensity processing. Accordingly, the present study provides the first direct evidence for the role of online emotional-intensity processing in predicting behavioral regulatory-choices. Utilizing the high temporal resolution of Event Related Potentials we evaluated online neural processing of stimuli's emotional-intensity (Late Positive Potential, LPP) prior to regulatory-choices between distraction and reappraisal. <br><br>RESULTS showed that enhanced neural processing of intensity (enhanced LPP amplitudes) uniquely predicted (above subjective measures of intensity) increased tendency to subsequently choose distraction over reappraisal. Additionally, regulatory-choices led to adaptive consequences demonstrated in finding that actual implementation of distraction relative to reappraisal-choice resulted in stronger attenuation of LPPs and self-reported arousal.<br><br>© The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1749-5016",
doi="10.1093/scan/nsw114",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsw114"
}