Emotional expression

In psychology, emotional expression is observable verbal and nonverbal behaviour that communicates emotion. Emotional expression can occur with or without self-awareness. An individual can control such expression, to some extent, and may have deliberate intent in displaying it.

Emotional regulation

Various researchers have highlighted the importance for an individual of being able to successfully regulate emotions. Ways of doing this include cognitive reappraisal — interpreting a situation in positive terms, and expressive suppression — masking signs of inner emotional states. Emotions are evident through facial expressions. Humans can express their own emotions and understand others as well .

Emotional Intelligence

Theorists, such as Gardner and Sternberg, have each presented different definitions and categories of intelligence . It can be agreed that intelligence is somewhat important to land a successful career and life. Gunderman refers to emotional intelligence, as a type of intelligence, as well. He has defined it as "the ability to understand and respond to emotions in daily life". For instance, a person, who may be going through trials and tribulations, but does not face his or her emotions and tackle them, may be constantly frustrated. This said person will face troubles moving on with his or her life. Consequently, emotionally intelligent individuals are better at expressing and identifying their emotions and those of the people around them. Those who are adept at handling their emotions tend to live an easier life than those who are not. Since people with better emotional intelligence are sensitive to emotions, they are considered better team players and are family-oriented.

Some researchers argue that emotional intelligence is biological, while others say it is innate. Gunderman states that emotional intelligence is a learned and an instinctual skill. It can be cultivated through three means: learning more about it; draw attention to it for ourselves and others; "read books by emotionally intelligent authors, such as Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy". Through engaging in emotional expressions and regulation, it is contemplated more than before and brings forth considerable changes in life and attitude. Sy and Cote conducted a study that proved emotionally intelligent are more competent and perform better. Therefore, many companies are using EI training programs to increase matrix performance.

Disorders

There are few disorders that show lack of deficiency in emotional expression:

• Autism
• Involuntary expression disorder

Ventilation hypothesis

Critiques

In Expressing Negative Emotions: Healthy Catharsis or Sign of Pathology?, Milton Spett, a psychologist who is a part of the New Jersey Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NJ-ACT), summarized Kennedy-Moore and Watson's findings from "Expressing Emotion" (New York: the Guilford Press, 1999). He said that Kennedy-Moore and Watson reviewed material on the ventilation hypothesis and pointed out: "expressing negative emotions is particularly likely to intensify distress when expressing these emotions evokes feelings of guilt or shame, or when the listener responds critically rather than emphatically"; emotional expression may be psychologically and physically detrimental to individuals who uncomfortable and inexperienced at expressing emotions .

See also

• Affect display
• Coping (psychology)
• Emotional Intelligence
• Emotions and culture
• Facial expression
• Microexpression
• Sex and emotion