The Expression, Communication, and Regulation of Biological Emotions: Sex and Cultural Differences and Similarities R. Buck & S. R. Powers |
This paper summarizes sex and cultural differences and similarities in the
expression, communication, and regulation of biological emotions from the
viewpoint of developmental-interactionist theory. A model of the interaction
between biological emotions and appraisal processes suggests bidirectional
causality, but the agenda of appraisal is often set by immediate and effortless
emotional responses. It is proposed that emotional systems function as filters,
determining the impact of external and internal stimuli upon higher-order appraisal
and attribution processes. A new model of emotion regulation based upon emotional
communication is presented, and relevant evidence summarized including sex
differences in expressing specific emotions, the effects of emotional inhibition and
suppression, and the effects of emotional communication upon health. Emotion
communication takes emotion and its regulation outside the individual, into the
social context, with social relationships functioning as bioregulators. Key words: emotion expression, emotion communication, emotion regulation, inhibition, suppression, control, alexithymia, sex differences, cross- cultural studies |