The Neural Bases of Emotion Regulation: Reappraisal and Suppression of Negative Emotion

Philippe R. Goldin et al 

Keywords: Emotion, Emotion Regulation, Reappraisal, Suppression, fMRI

The Study: This article investigates the neural mechanisms underlying two contrasting emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal, considered an early intervention in the emotion-generative process, and expressive suppression, conceptualized as a later behavioral strategy. Although theoretical models distinguish these strategies by timing and mode of action, few studies have directly compared their neural bases. Using fMRI, the researchers examined how women responded to neutral and negative film clips under reappraisal and suppression conditions, assessing emotional experience, facial behavior, and neural activation patterns.

Main Findings: Reappraisal elicited early recruitment of the prefrontal cortex, reduced negative emotional experience, and decreased activation in the amygdala and insula. Suppression, in contrast, produced late prefrontal activation and reduced emotional expression and experience, but paradoxically increased amygdala and insular responses. These findings highlight clear differences in the effectiveness and temporal dynamics of each strategy, showing that reappraisal modulates emotion early and efficiently, whereas suppression requires greater regulatory effort and heightens physiological reactivity.

Practical Implications: Understanding the distinct neural pathways of reappraisal and suppression informs clinical interventions and emotional-skills training. Reappraisal emerges as a more adaptive strategy, reducing emotional intensity and neural reactivity simultaneously. Suppression, though useful for controlling outward behavior, may impose higher physiological and emotional costs. These results reinforce the value of therapeutic and educational practices that cultivate cognitive restructuring to promote healthier and more sustainable emotion regulation.

Reference: Goldin, P. R., McRae, K., Ramel, W., & Gross, J. J. (2008). The neural bases of emotion regulation: reappraisal and suppression of negative emotion. Biological Psychiatry, 63(6), 577–586.

Goldin et al., 2008.pdf

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