A Multilevel Framework for Understanding Emotion Regulation (1CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for:  Clinical Psychologists and Counselors

Course By: Tim Grigsby, PhD

Content By: Braunstein, L. M., Gross, J. J., & Ochsner, K. N. (2017). Explicit and implicit emotion regulation: A multi-level framework. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 12(10), 1545-1557.

Course Description: Our ability to regulate emotions is critical to our mental and physical well-being. In attempting to understand emotion regulation in humans, significant gaps remain in conceptualizing and defining distinct emotion regulation processes. To overcome these limitations, the researchers propose a multi-level framework to operationalize emotion regulation that draws on behavioral, cognitive, physiological and experiential reactions and appraisals to our environment.  A resulting four class solution is described along two dimensions of emotional regulation: the nature of the emotion regulation goal and the nature of the emotion change process. The core framework can assist in understanding the neural basis of emotion regulation and warrants future research for developing efficacious treatment programs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the advantages of using a multi-level framework to conceptualize emotion regulation processes
2. Compare and contrast the four classes of emotion regulation described using the multi-level framework
3. Analyze the neurobiological evidence that supports the existence of a four-class description of emotion regulation

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Explicit and implicit emotion regulation: A multi-level framework
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Reflect on the theoretical and neurobiological evidence in support of a multi-level framework for emotion regulation
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand how emotion regulation can be described along a joint continuum of goals and processes

Approvals: