Cross-cultural study on emotion regulation

Abstract

Emotions are several subjectively experienced, affect-laden states, the ontological status of each being established by a label, and the meaning of which is arrived at by simple consensus. Emotions are the cornerstones of our social worlds, affecting our interaction with others in countless ways. The following research seeks to explain different patterns of emotional regulation in a cross-cultural context. Culture provides meaning to the intent and the demonstrated behavior. The study has established significant differences amongst two cultures: collectivistic and individualistic using various questionnaires. In this cross-cultural study, variables like expressive suppression, negative emotions, emotional clarity, impulse strength of emotions, goal-directedness, and acceptance of emotional responses are studied. The study makes use of quantitative methods to establish the relationships between the variables and the cultural contexts of the participants (N=60). Significant differences were observed between the two cultures and the possible reasons for their existence have been explored.