When “Good” Beliefs Go Bad: The Upsides and Downsides of Believing Emotions are Controllable
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Beliefs we hold about whether emotions are controllable influence how we approach our own emotions – but what about how we approach others’ emotions? I propose that believing someone’s emotions are controllable shapes how we treat them, but the exact nature of this treatment is subject to two competing hypotheses: promoting either more positive responses or more negative responses towards that person’s distress. The present investigation tested these hypotheses in two studies (Ns = 308 and 314) measuring participants’ behavioral intentions towards a person struggling with emotional distress. Across both studies, individuals who believed this person’s emotions were relatively controllable were less positive and more negative towards them. Believing this person’s emotions were relatively controllable also predicted stronger attempts to have her control her emotions using interpersonal emotion regulation strategies likely to backfire. These results suggest beliefs about emotion controllability may powerfully shape our interpersonal interactions, carrying crucial interpersonal downsides.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Angela Moriah Smith
Language: English
Topic: Emotions and Moral Behavior
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2996184547