The impact of emotion regulation on cooperation and trust
Abstract
The objective of this project is to determine the impact of actual and perceived emotion regulation on cooperation and trust. In social decision-making, communicated emotions provide trust-relevant information about intentions and likely behavior. However, their positive effects may be undermined if these emotions are perceived as regulated. This project will therefore assess effects of both actual and perceived emotion regulation on interpersonal cooperation. Our studies will use a multi-round two-player prisoner’s-dilemma game, in which players’ outcomes in each round depend on both players’ choices. Both players will be able to see each other’s face remotely via a webcam link. Emotion communication and regulation will be examined using data from the video recording. Over three studies, we will assess how players regulate their emotion expressions and how their regulation and its perception influence trust and cooperation during the game. We anticipate that regulation will be employed and perceived at certain points in the game, and we will examine how and when it is accurately detected. We expect actual emotion regulation will successfully influence partner’s behavior when undetected. However, when detected it will have a negative effect on the development of trust and cooperation. Perceived emotion regulation will also negatively affect trust and cooperation, whether perception is accurate or not. Initial trust will augment these effects, with increased perceived and actual regulation when trust is low. High levels of trust will act as a buffer leading to lower levels of perceived emotion regulation. This research will inform our understanding of the impact of emotion regulation on the development of trust and cooperation. Our findings will suggest ways of developing and sustaining trust and cooperation, which are key to improving interpersonal, intergroup and economic relationships.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810060
Entities
People
- Brian Parkinson
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Oxford