Match regulation direction to task demands by assessing…
Match regulation direction to task demands by assessing whether current emotional intensity is too high, too low, or appropriate before selecting any regulation strategy.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Emotional suppression increases physiological stress… (reappraisal vs suppression have different effects), Positive emotions broaden cognitive repertoire and build… (positive emotions broaden cognition), and Emotions function as evaluative signals that provide… (emotions provide evaluative information). The principle: regulation is bidirectional—sometimes amplify, sometimes reduce—and the first step is determining which direction serves the current functional requirements rather than defaulting to reduction.
Source Lessons
Up-regulation and down-regulation
Sometimes you need to increase emotional intensity and sometimes decrease it.
Authentic emotional expression builds genuine connection
When you express what you truly feel you create the conditions for real relationships.
Audience selection for expression
Not every emotion needs to be expressed to every person — choose your audience.