Allostasis, action and affect in depression: Insights from the theory of constructed emotion
Open accessAbstract
The theory of constructed emotion is a systems neuroscience approach to understanding the nature of emotion. It is also a general theoretical framework to guide hypothesis generation for how actions and experiences are constructed as the brain continually anticipates metabolic needs and attempts to meet those needs before they arise (termed allostasis). In this review, we introduce this framework and hypothesize that allostatic dysregulation is a trans-disorder vulnerability for mental and physical illness. We then review published findings consistent with the hypothesis that several symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD), such as fatigue, distress, context insensitivity, reward insensitivity, and motor retardation, are associated with persistent problems in energy regulation. Our approach transforms the current understanding of MDD as resulting from enhanced emotional reactivity combined with reduced cognitive control and, in doing so, offers novel hypotheses regarding the development, progression, treatment, and prevention of MDD.
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Precision signals tune the different incoming predictions and prediction errors through engagement of the salience network.
“Therefore, precision signals (the third principle) tune the different incoming predictions and prediction errors through engagement of the salience network.[113][114][115]”
From A new science of emotion: implications for functional neurological disorder (2022) · cites this paper as [113]
In Hypothesis 3, the paper says precision signals modulate both prediction signals and prediction errors. In “Interoception Gives Rise to Affect,” it hypothesizes that the salience network modulates which prediction errors are learned. It does not establish that the salience network tunes predictions as well, and presents the network’s role as a hypothesis rather than a settled mechanism. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFindings related to cortisol, commonly framed as markers of emotion dysregulation, would be reframed by the theory of constructed emotion as representing inefficient energy management.
“While these findings, particularly those related to the 'stress hormone' cortisol, are commonly framed as markers of 'emotion dysregulation'-the theory of constructed emotion would reframe this as representing inefficient energy management.113”
From A new science of emotion: implications for functional neurological disorder (2022) · cites this paper as [113]
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References 161 · Cited by 94
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Clore GL, Clore GL, Ortony A. 2008. Appraisal theories: how cognition shapes affect into emotion. In Handbook of Emotions, ed. Lewis M, Haviland-Jones JM, Barrett LF, pp. 628– 42. New York: Guilford. 3rd ed.
- Frijda NH. 1986. The Emotions. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press
- Gendron M, Mesquita B, Barrett LF. 2020. The brain as a cultural artifact. In Culture, Mind, and Brain: Emerging Concepts, Models, and Applications, ed. Kirmayer LJ, Worthman CM, Kitayama S, Lemelson R, Cummings CA, pp. 188– 222. New York: Cambridge Univ. Press
- Authors
- Shaffer, C., Westlin, C., Quigley, K. S., Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., & Barrett, L. F.
- Affiliations
- Northeastern University (US)
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;,
- Venue
- Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2022-05-09
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 553-580
- ISSN
- 1548-5943 (ISSN-L)
- 1548-5951
- PMC
- PMC9247744
- OpenAlex
- W4229457271
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 161
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 4
- FWCI
- 2.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Annual Review of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R56AG058745)
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH113234, R01MH109464)
- National Cancer Institute (U01CA193632)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- allostasis, theory of constructed emotion, major depressive disorder, energy regulation, fatigue, motor retardation, emotional reactivity, cognitive control
- MeSH terms
- Brain, Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Emotions, Humans, Allostasis
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