Glossary // Glossary term Empirical
Emotional granularity
The degree to which a person distinguishes between similar emotional experiences, for example between feeling irritated, ashamed and anxious rather than simply bad; also called emotion differentiation. It is usually estimated from repeated diary or momentary ratings, as the extent to which ratings of same-valence emotions do not move together. Higher negative-emotion differentiation has been associated with more frequent regulation of intense negative emotions and with fewer maladaptive coping behaviours, but most evidence is correlational. Labelling an emotion engages prefrontal regulation and reduces amygdala responses in the laboratory. Precise naming is a low-cost first step that changes the course of an emotion without discharge. Affective computing promises to infer emotion as if it were a system metric. The evidence on facial movements and autonomic signals, together with questions of consent, explains why every metric in this artifact is an artistic value. The works the definition rests on, with the level of evidence each was appraised at. (2001). Knowing what you're feeling and knowing what to do about it: Mapping the relation between emotion differentiation and emotion regulation. doi:10.1080/02699930143000239 Supports the claim that negative emotion differentiation was positively related to the frequency of negative emotion regulation, particularly at higher emotional intensity. Correlational; it cannot show that differentiation causes more regulation. (2015). Unpacking emotion differentiation: Transforming unpleasant experience by perceiving distinctions in negativity. doi:10.1177/0963721414550708 Supports the claim that greater emotional granularity during distress is associated with less use of maladaptive strategies such as binge drinking and aggression. A brief review by researchers in the area; most cited findings are correlational.Where the site uses it
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