Emotions can be generated through attention, knowledge, and bodily responses -- all of which are conscious parts of an individual's life that are cognitively processed and analyzed (Koole 2009). The regulation of these emotions, which tends to focus on these emotion-generating aspects of an individual, is a major part of the mechanism by which emotional responses and emotional information is communicated to the cognitive mind. It also serves in the other direction, aiding in the translation of cognitive information into appropriate emotional responses (Koole 2009).
The causes that have been identified lying behind emotional regulation also provide some insight into its relationship to cognition. Satisfying simple pleasure impulses, aiding in the achievement of more long-term goals, and projecting a desired and beneficial personality are all primary reasons that emotional regulation becomes engaged, on both a conscious and unconscious level (Koole 2009). Even when making unconscious emotional choices, however, the mind must be influenced by the conscious cognitive processes of the individual; the determination of personality projection, delaying pleasure impulses, and long-term planning are all very much matters of conscious cognitive discretion, and thus will influence the level and direction of emotional regulation that occurs, possibly leading to the maladaptive tendencies noted above (Pekrun & Stephens 2009).
The Cognitive Control of Emotions
Another recent study suggests that the control of emotions can be made an even more conscious and cognitive process than through the complex interface of emotional regulation. research using various emotional regulation training techniques has had a major impact on both the emotional and cognitive development of many of the children and adolescents used in the study, and has led to the formation of new emotional regulation and cognitive patterns in their everyday lives, as well (Izard et al. 2008). By creating a conscious, dynamic, and continuous relationship between cognition and emotional modulation and regulation, the subjects in the study...
2008).
The studies findings did not stop there, however, there was also evidence to suggest that the subjects in the study were better able to consciously use their emotions in the furtherance of goals not just by regulating -- i.e. limiting -- them, but also by choosing particular emotive reactions and responses in given circumstances in order to elicit more beneficial responses from others (Izard et a 2008). The conscious cognitive regulation and control of emotions is not only achievable, then, but it can be highly beneficial. Though this might perhaps seem manipulative, the fact that emotion can be regulated cognitively to some extent does not make it any less genuine, and it helps to mitigate the maladaptive quality that emotional responses and regulatory mechanisms might have in our world today.
Conclusion
Emotional regulation is almost entirely a matter of self-interest, but they do not always achieve the goals for which they were intended, and often seem to run completely counter to these desired effects. The cognitive aspect of emotional regulation, however, can be engaged in such a way as to make emotional regulation more truly beneficial. There is still a great deal of knowledge and understanding regarding emotions and emotional regulation that must be obtained before any firm conclusions can be made about the benefits of the cognitive control of emotion, and the extent to which this is possible on a conscious level, but the facts seem to be that it takes place quite regularly regardless.
References
Izard, C.; Stark, K.; Trentacosta, C. & Schulz, D. (2008). "Beyond Emotion Regulation: Emotion Utilization and Adaptive Functioning." Child development perspectives 2(3), pp. 156-63.
Koole, S. (2009). "The psychology of emotion regulation: An integrative review." Cognition & emotion 23(1), pp. 4-41.
Pekrun, R. & Stephens, E. (2009). "Goals, Emotions, and Emotion Regulation: Perspectives of the Control-Value Theory." Human Development 52(6), pp. 357-65.
