Sensory emotion regulation

Micaela Rodriguez; Ethan Kross

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2023.01.008

Sensory emotion regulation

Trends Cogn Sci. 2023 Apr;27(4):379-390. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.01.008. Epub 2023 Feb 15.

Authors

Micaela Rodriguez¹, Ethan Kross²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: rodrim@umich.edu.
² Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: ekross@umich.edu.

PMID: 36805103
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.01.008

Abstract

Decades of evidence reveal intimate links between sensation and emotion. Yet, discussion of sensory experiences as tools that promote emotion regulation is largely absent from current theorizing on this topic. Here, we address this gap by integrating evidence from social-personality, clinical, cognitive-neuroscience, and animal research to highlight the role of sensation as a tool that can be harnessed to up- or downregulate emotion. Further, we review evidence implicating sensation as a rapid and relatively effortless emotion regulation modality and highlight future research directions. Notably, we emphasize the need to examine the duration of sensory emotion regulation effects, the moderating role of individual and cultural differences, and how sensory strategies interact with other strategies.

Keywords: emotion; emotion regulation; sensation; sensory experiences; stress; wellbeing.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Emotional Regulation*
Emotions / physiology
Sensation