Deconstructing reappraisal: Descriptions preceding arousing pictures modulate the subsequent neural response
Abstract
The late positive potential (LPP) is a sustained positive deflection in the event-related potential that is larger following the presentation of emotional compared to neutral visual stimuli. Recent studies have indicated that the magnitude of the LPP is sensitive to emotion regulation strategies such as reappraisal, which involves generating an alternate interpretation of emotional stimuli so that they are less negative. It is unclear, however, whether reappraisal-related reductions in the LPP reflect reduced emotional processing or increased cognitive demands following reappraisal instructions. In the present study, we sought to examine whether a more or less negative description preceding the presentation of unpleasant images would similarly modulate the LPP. The LPP was recorded from 26 subjects as they viewed unpleasant and neutral International Affective Picture System images. All participants heard a brief description of the upcoming picture; prior to unpleasant images, this description was either more neutral or more negative. Following the more neutral description, the magnitude of the LPP, unpleasant ratings, and arousal ratings were all reliably reduced. These results indicate that changes in narrative are sufficient to modulate the electrocortical response to the initial viewing of emotional pictures, and are discussed in terms of recent studies on reappraisal and emotion regulation.
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The present LPP results are in line with results from Krendl et al. and Grecucci, but contrary to the majority of earlier studies which showed a decreased LPP for reappraisal.
“Our results are in line with results from Krendl et al. [39], or Grecucci [40], but contrary to the majority of earlier studies which showed a decreased LPP for reappraisal [36,37,66].”
From Effects of differential strategies of emotion regulation (2019) · cites this paper as [66]
Foti and Hajcak showed that prompting reappraisal thoughts and reducing cognitive demands during reappraisal reduces LPP amplitudes.
“For instance, Foti and Hajcak [66] showed that prompting reappraisal thoughts and therefore, reducing cognitive demands during reappraisal reduces LPP amplitudes.”
From Effects of differential strategies of emotion regulation (2019) · cites this paper as [66]
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“[39], or Grecucci [40], but contrary to the majority of earlier studies which showed a decreased LPP for reappraisal [36,37,66].”
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- Authors
- Foti, D., & Hajcak, G.
- Affiliations
- Stony Brook University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
- Publisher
- MIT Press
- Published
- 2008-06-01
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 977-988
- ISSN
- 0898-929X (ISSN-L)
- 1530-8898
- OpenAlex
- W2133974087
- Cited by
- 458
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 8.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Keywords
- cognitive reappraisal, emotion regulation, late positive potential, event-related potentials, emotional pictures, narrative framing, emotional arousal, International Affective Picture System
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Arousal, Cognition, Discrimination, Psychological, Electroencephalography, Electrooculography, Emotions, Evoked Potentials, Female, Humans, Male, Photic Stimulation, Set, Psychology, Visual Perception
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