Investigating the Relationship of Self-reported Emotions and Expression of Emotions in both Free and Suppressed Conditions

Abstract

The relationship between self-reported emotion and expression of emotion has long been debated. Theories of emotion accept that there is coherence between the two. However, evidence has been found that the relationship does not truly exist. Furthermore, research into the relationship in suppressed conditions is minimal. The aim of the study is to further gain insight on the relationship between self-reported emotion and expression of emotion under both free and suppressed conditions. Using a within-subjects design, a sample of 37 participants took part in the lab study. Participants were asked about demographics, personality and mood measures. Subsequently they were shown several short videos to elicit neutral mood, happiness and disgust while their facial expressions were filmed. They also filled out a mood self-report after each video. The coherence of self-reports and expression in both conditions were compared. The results of the analyses indicated that there was not a significant relationship between the free condition and the suppressed condition. Similar to many studies into emotion, the artificial setting was a limitation when trying to capture and elicit natural emotional responses. Nevertheless, the study provides insight into existing knowledge and fills gaps by looking at suppression to understand the overall concept of human emotion.