Linguistic Shifts: A Relatively Effortless Route to Emotion Regulation?. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Orvell, Ariana; Ayduk, Özlem; Moser, Jason S.; Gelman, Susan A.; Kross, Ethan
• Is Part Of: Current directions in psychological science. Volume 28:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 567
• Page End: 573
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: psychological distance -- emotion regulation -- language -- self-control -- emotion; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1177/0963721419861411
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-7214

Abstract

Prior research indicates that psychological distance facilitates emotion regulation. Here, we propose that the ability to transcend one's immersed perspective may be hidden in plain sight, within the very structure of language. We review evidence regarding two linguistic mechanisms, distanced self-talk and generic "you, " that promote emotion regulation by allowing speakers to shift from an immersed to a more distanced perspective through the words they use to reflect on the self (e.g., shifting from "I" to their own name or other non-first-person-singular pronouns). We conclude by suggesting that these linguistic shifts occur relatively seamlessly and thus may provide a less effortful route to emotion regulation.