When Asking “Why” Does Not Hurt Distinguishing Rumination From Reflective Processing of Negative Emotions

Kross, Ethan; Ayduk, Ozlem; Mischel, Walter

doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2005.01600.x

Cited by 603Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesIdentity, Memory, and TherapyEmotions and Moral Behavior

When Asking “Why” Does Not Hurt Distinguishing Rumination From Reflective Processing of Negative Emotions

Kross, Ethan, Ayduk, Ozlem, Mischel, Walter·2005·Psychological Science

DOI 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2005.01600.x

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Abstract

Two experiments examined the psychological operations that enable individuals to process negative emotions and experiences without increasing negative affect. In Study 1, type of self-perspective (self-immersed vs. self-distanced) and type of emotional focus (what vs. why) were experimentally manipulated following the recall of an anger-eliciting interpersonal experience. A why focus on emotions from a self-distanced perspective (distanced-why strategy) was expected to enable “cool,” reflective processing of emotions, in which individuals can focus on their experience without reactivating excessive “hot” negative affect. Findings were consistent with this hypothesis. Study 2 replicated these findings and furthermore demonstrated that (a) the degree to which individuals construe their recalled experience in abstract versus concrete terms mediates the effect of the distanced-why strategy and (b) the status of the recalled experience (resolved vs. unresolved) does not moderate the effectiveness of the distanced-why strategy. These findings help disentangle the mechanisms that may allow adaptive working through from those that lead to rumination.

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Social and Personality Psychology Compass 4/10 (2010): 841–854, 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00301.x Analyzing Negative Experiences Without Ruminating: The Role of Self-Distancing in Enabling Adaptive Self-Reflection
Ayduk, Ö. N., & Kross, E. F. (2013)
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Authors: Kross, E., Ayduk, O., & Mischel, W.
Affiliations: Columbia University (US)
University of California, Berkeley
ORCID: Kross, Ethan
Venue: Psychological Science
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2005-09
Volume: 16
Issue: 9
Pages: 709-715
ISSN: 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
1467-9280
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2005.01600.x
OpenAlex: W2100543830
Cited by: 603
References: 41
Citations by year: 2026: 13 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 60 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 35
FWCI: 13.49
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health (MH39349)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
Keywords: rumination, reflective processing, negative emotions, emotional focus, anger, interpersonal conflict, unresolved conflicts, emotion regulation, working through
MeSH terms: Adult, Affect, Anger, Conflict, Psychological, Female, Humans, Male, Self Concept

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When Asking “Why” Does Not Hurt Distinguishing Rumination From Reflective Processing of Negative Emotions

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